The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in several interviews following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, following Crawley made 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
But, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
