The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.
Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
