Zak Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Comments

The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.

"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.

However, after Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain issued his "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.

Prior to this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the series.

Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.

"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory

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

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

Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.

Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.

This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.

The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.

Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.

However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."

"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.