The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "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 media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia need four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," 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 will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," he finished.
