England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"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 Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven 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 facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
