The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored 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 media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Prior to this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special entering this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.
Consequently, Australia require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in only eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be tough coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record against Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. This is talk from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
