England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
However, after Crawley made a knock of 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 media with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent 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 lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, Australia need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.
Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
