England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
