🔗 Share this article Zak Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men". The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down. The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle. Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this game." The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435. Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss. The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point." "There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality." Pope's Place In Question While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia. Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp." "We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank." "He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men". The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. However, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down. The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle. Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this game." The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435. Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss. The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively. Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point." "There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality." Pope's Place In Question While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia. Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average. But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp." "We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank." "He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.