🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". Stokes made those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad. "I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader. But, following Crawley made a knock of 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 anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle. Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership. "It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test." Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs. This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests. A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England fell 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 destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added. "The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia. In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average. But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". Stokes made those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad. "I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader. But, following Crawley made a knock of 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 anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down. The team afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle. Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership. "It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test." Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs. This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests. A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England fell 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 destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added. "The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia. In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average. But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team." "We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.