Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments
The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed 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.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning 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 is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
