The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following his team's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "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," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "weak men" observation subsequent to his side were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in only 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good team. It was always going to be tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
