🔗 Share this article Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude". Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group. "I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader. But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, 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 press with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle. Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge. "It's been very positive, 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 something special entering this Test." The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs. This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played. A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss. This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after 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 destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century. "It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now." "There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added. "The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Position Under Scrutiny While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.
England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude". Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group. "I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader. But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, 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 press with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down. The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle. Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge. "It's been very positive, 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 something special entering this Test." The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs. This means, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played. A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss. This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after 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 destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century. "It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now." "There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added. "The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why." Pope's Position Under Scrutiny While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.