Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.

"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.

However, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.

The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.

Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.

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

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."

Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph

The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

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

"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."

"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.

"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.

Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.

However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.