England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes made this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"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 missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
