🔗 Share this article Crawley Claims Ignorance of Captain Stokes' Controversial 'Weak Men' Remarks The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". Stokes made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia previously. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes. But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down. The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series. Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test." Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests. A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat. This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively. Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia. In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. However, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank." "He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men". Stokes made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia previously. In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad. "I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes. But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks." "I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added. Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down. The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests. Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series. Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership. "The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test." Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon. The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs. Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests. A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat. This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively. Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era. "It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now." "There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued. "The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality." Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th. Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia. In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62. A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average. However, the opener said any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team." "The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank." "He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.