England opening batter Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from captain Stokes about the team environment as no place for "weak men".
Stokes made this message in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes versus the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
However, after the opener made 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "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
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation subsequent to England were beaten in Brisbane to go 2-0 down.
The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of an extraordinary feat going into this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
Defeat would prolong the English team's drought in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes series loss.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of cricket – after England fell the initial matches in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been difficult. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They entered as the front-runners and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in England's second knock on Saturday, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
Across sixteen Ashes knocks, Pope has never made a half-century and boasts an average of just 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and returned a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any notion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "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 productive year to be frank."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion like that on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
