England opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments made by skipper Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in several interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Before this match, he said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435 runs.
Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the final day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be tough coming here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns against Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said Crawley. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
