The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several interviews in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain noted he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in charge.
"It's been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of something special going into this Test."
Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
This means, Australia need four wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable 3-0 advantage with three Tests.
Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the front-runners and they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns against Australia.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
