Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments
England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made those words in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
However, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it 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 spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.