The English opening batter Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "weak men".
Stokes made those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I required," said Stokes.
However, following Crawley scored 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad afterwards took a break to Noosa in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to this match, he revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the messaging from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we could do an extraordinary feat going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to move to an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight overseas Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in only eleven days of play – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in the UK 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 instances in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach 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 to face them. They were the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position In Question
While the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener insisted any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
