England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.
However, after Crawley scored a knock of 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 Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.
Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
