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

England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".

The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against Australia previously.

In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.

"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.

However, after the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."

"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.

Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy

Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.

Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.

Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."

The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph

The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.

The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled 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 Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.

A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.

This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.

Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.

"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."

"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.

"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."

Ollie Pope's Position In Question

While Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.

Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.

Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.

A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.

But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.