🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia previously. Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes. However, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind. The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches. Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series. Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge. "It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game." The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435. This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat. This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively. The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality." Pope's Place In Question Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia. In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia previously. Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes. However, following Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind. The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches. Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series. Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge. "It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game." The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435. This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat. This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively. The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point." "There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added. "The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality." Pope's Place In Question Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia. In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.