The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes versus Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his message to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
However, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.
This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.
This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
