England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
