Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks
The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.