England opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
