England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener made 85 on the fourth 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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
However, the opener said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.
