England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
But, after the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, 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," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
