England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
But, 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 media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
