England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said the England leader.
However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive 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.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
However, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
