England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
But, after the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.
This means, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
