The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, he said his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
The opener's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead with three matches played.
Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said 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 like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.
