Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks
England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.