England opener Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series against the Australians earlier this month.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at a series loss with a match to spare, the captain stated he had allowed his sentiment to "drift around" among the playing group.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked the England leader.
But, after the opener scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes issued his "weak men" comment after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and third Tests.
Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"It's been very positive, the same as always," said Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a decisive three-wicket burst by Australian off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a notional target of 435.
This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.
A loss would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in just 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time each.
Not since 1921, when Australia completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the 21st century.
"It's disheartening," admitted the batsman. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been tough. Australia is a formidable team. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Place In Question
While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term future in the side, Pope appears under immense pressure for his spot in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus Australia.
In sixteen Ashes knocks, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and averages 17.62.
A solitary other England player since 1900 – Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
However, the opener said any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed 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 amongst the players," Crawley finished.
