England opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of comments from skipper Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made those words in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "weak men" comment after England suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently went on a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.
This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," said 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 certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
While the opener's performance in Adelaide 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 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know how good of a player he is," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie amongst the players," Crawley concluded.
