The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth 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 anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.
This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
