England opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.
This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record against the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
