The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
Stokes made this message in several interviews in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked the England leader.
However, following the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "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 Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after England were beaten in the second Test to go two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Yet, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left England 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 lead after three Tests.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
This series will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough coming 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 likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, adding to his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, Crawley insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said Crawley. "He has had 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 on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
