England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in several conversations following England's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
But, after the opener 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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after England suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"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. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
