The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," said Stokes.
However, after Crawley 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 anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional target of 435.
This means, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
