England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
But, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Before this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the 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 the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
