The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, after Crawley 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 Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three Tests.
A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
