England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
