The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.
"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three matches played.
A loss will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England'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 averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
