England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, 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 some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's final 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 condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position In Question
Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
