The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
But, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
The captain made the "weak men" comment subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, 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 entering this game."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
