The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from captain Ben Stokes regarding the team environment not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
But, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take everything that is said in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment after his side were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's dismissal on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
Consequently, Australia require just four more wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
A loss will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably hard touring here to face them. They entered as the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages just 17.62.
Only one other English batsman in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
