England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory 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 occasions in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 runs in the team's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
