The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations 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 messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.
This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory 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.
"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
