England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
However, following Crawley made a knock of 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 anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
