The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in several interviews following England's loss in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the media with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "weak men" observation after his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming matches.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on the last day to move to an insurmountable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive away Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk from the outside. There's no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," he concluded.
