🔗 Share this article Crawley Unaware of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude". Stokes made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, 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 media with some skepticism," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind. The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test." Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon. Lyon'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 runs. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played. A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why." Pope's Place Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team." "We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest." "He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.
England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude". Stokes made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes. But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, 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 media with some skepticism," Crawley continued. Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind. The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series. Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test." Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon. Lyon'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 runs. Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played. A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why." Pope's Place Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia. Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62. Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team." "We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest." "He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.