The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous three years in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require four wickets on the final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
