The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, he said 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 Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"It's been very positive, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this game."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes series defeat.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," he finished.
