The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
Stokes made those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, after the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "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 some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" observation after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead with three Tests.
Defeat will extend England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
