England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
Defeat would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
