England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
However, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "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."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
Consequently, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley finished.
