The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in several conversations following his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the playing group.
"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 fourth day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.
Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's winless run in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending 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 since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
However, Crawley insisted any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley finished.
