The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent 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 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," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
A loss will extend England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.
