The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in several conversations following his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, 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 made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
However, 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 of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
