The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in several conversations in the wake of his team's loss in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had let his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, following the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain made the "weak men" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his players had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their effort to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous three years in charge.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket on day four was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three matches played.
A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.
This series will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – with England fell the first two Tests in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in eleven days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're facing elimination now."
"There remains plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been difficult. 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 Position In Question
While Crawley's innings in Adelaide likely secures doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 in the team's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
A solitary other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added Crawley. "He has had a good year to be frank."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
