The English opening batter Zak Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"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," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil lead after three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted the batsman. "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'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites coming in to it have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
While the opener's performance in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no chat like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.