The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations following his team's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
This means, Australia require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.
