England opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
But, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
