Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".

The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.

But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging

The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."

The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory

Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.

Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.

The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.

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

Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny

While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.

In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.

However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.