The English opener Zak Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Stokes regarding the dressing room as no place for "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in several interviews following England's defeat in the second Ashes series against Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, following Crawley made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. Our approach is to take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming matches.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, he revealed his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had stayed in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. It felt like we could do something special entering this game."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side six down for 207 chasing a notional target of 435.
Consequently, the home team require just four more wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three Tests.
A loss will extend the English team's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.
The current battle will be completed in just eleven days of cricket – with England fell the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"It's disappointing," said Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we'll definitely view it like that," he continued.
"It's been difficult. They're a very, very good team. It was inevitably hard coming here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope looks under immense pressure for his position in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a productive year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise from the outside. There's no chat like that regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
