The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
But, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards went on a break to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."
Australia Close of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England fell 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 outcome of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"It's been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
