England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
But, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"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 a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
