The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple interviews in the wake of England's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his message to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
But, after Crawley made 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to England suffered a loss in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before this match, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Yet, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil lead with three Tests.
Defeat will extend the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough coming here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's performance in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is talk externally. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
