England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes against Australia previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special going into this game."
Australia On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough coming here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion 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. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.