The English opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements from skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered this message in several conversations following England's loss in the second match of the Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
However, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I wasn't actively searching for it. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Raw Conversations and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" observation subsequent to his side suffered a loss in Brisbane to fall two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted the opener. "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 Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia spinner Lyon.
The spinner's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Ben Stokes – meant England 207-6 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.
Consequently, the home team need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.
A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed victory in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it with that mindset," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably hard coming here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Ollie Pope's Place In Question
While the opener's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his immediate place in the England team, Pope looks under threat for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on day four, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope comes from "you guys" – meaning the journalists – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is noise externally. There's no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley concluded.
