England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said the England leader.
But, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
While the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
