The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
However, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.
This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.
In 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 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
