The English opener Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of comments made by captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered this message in several conversations in the wake of his team's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia previously.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, following the opener scored 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "fragile individuals" observation after his side suffered a loss 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 Tests.
Before this match, he said his team had held "raw" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted Crawley. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special going into this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
Crawley's dismissal late on Saturday came during a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, Australia require four wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.
A loss would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight overseas Ashes loss.
This series is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for 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 tough touring here against them. They entered as the front-runners and have demonstrated their quality."
Ollie Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his immediate place in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 in the team's second knock on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
