The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.
