England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"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
Stokes made the "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to 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.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
