England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
However, 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. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435.
Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he concluded.
