England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," said the England leader.
However, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had stayed in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
This means, the home team require four wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While the opener's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
