The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated 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 the England leader.
But, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "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 Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Prior to this match, he said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
