England opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions 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 stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay alive in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
Although Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
