England opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" observation subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards went on a break to a Queensland resort between the second and third matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate future in the side, Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record against the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one 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, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he concluded.
