The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes regarding the team environment as no place for "weak men".
Stokes delivered this message in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes series against the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," he added.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
Stokes made the "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The team subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and head coach McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
The Hosts Close of Historic Series Victory
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead with three matches played.
Defeat will extend England's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of play – with England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"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 front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware 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. This is talk from the outside. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
