🔗 Share this article Crawley Unaware of Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Comments England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men". Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader. But, after the opener made 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 anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind. The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay 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 charge. "It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435. This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why." Pope's Place Under Scrutiny Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team." "We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
England opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men". Stokes made those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month. Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group. "I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader. But, after the opener made 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 anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added. Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind. The England squad afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay 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 charge. "It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test." The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435. This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played. A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat. This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each. Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century. "This is disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued. "It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why." Pope's Place Under Scrutiny Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day. The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy. Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62. Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average. However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team." "We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank." "He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.