Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Provocative 'Weak Men' Remarks
England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.
But, 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. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.