England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.
Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said 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 will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
