England opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments made by skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered those words in several conversations following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
But, following the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
Stokes issued his "fragile individuals" comment subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their effort to remain alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the messaging from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this game."
Australia On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's wicket on day four came during a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
Consequently, the home team require four wickets on the final day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong the English team's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England losing the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," admitted Crawley. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites and they've proven why."
Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the England team, Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
However, Crawley said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive 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.
