The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in multiple interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," said the England leader.
But, following Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a formidable team. It was always going to be hard coming here against them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's performance in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no chat of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," Crawley concluded.
