England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
Stokes made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate 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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
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 stay alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position 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 versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
However, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
