Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks

England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".

Stokes made those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.

Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.

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

But, following Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."

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

Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy

The captain made the "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.

The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.

Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.

Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.

"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this game."

The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph

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

Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.

This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.

Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.

The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.

Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.

"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."

"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.

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

Pope's Position Under Scrutiny

While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.

The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.

In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.

A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.

However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."

"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."

"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.