England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, after the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "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 some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is 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 Place In Question
While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
