England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
Stokes made this message in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
