Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.

However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.

Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."

"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Pope's Place In Question

Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.