England opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the squad.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
