The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made those words in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Prior to this match, he said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
Although the opener's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
