🔗 Share this article Crawley Claims Ignorance of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes. However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind. The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series. Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge. "It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively. The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Place In Question Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average. But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp." "We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.
The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude". The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes. However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind. The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series. Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge. "It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon. Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played. Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively. The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now." "There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Place In Question Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average. But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp." "We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank." "He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.