The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."
Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.
A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
Although the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"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 talk from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
