England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," said the England leader.
However, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.
Before this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia need just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.
This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate 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 Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
