Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments
England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
However, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.
Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
