The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before this match, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia 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 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed 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 modern era.
"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
