Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.

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

But, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.

The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

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

Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.

Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.

This means, Australia require four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.

A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There remains significant pride at stake 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 hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.

In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.

Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate 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. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.