The English opening batter Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder made this message in multiple conversations following his team's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where England now face a series loss with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had allowed his sentiment to "circulate freely" within the squad.
"I've done all the talking in recent days that I required," remarked Stokes.
But, after Crawley made a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "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" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The England squad subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before this match, Stokes revealed his players had held "raw" 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 guidance from Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, unchanged," noted Crawley. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we could do something special entering this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – left the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting target of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an unassailable three-nil advantage with three matches played.
A loss will extend England's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – after England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will definitely view it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a formidable side. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position Under Scrutiny
While Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures doubts about his short-term future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test starting December 26th.
Pope was out for 17 runs in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener insisted any suggestion Pope is under the microscope originates with "the media" – meaning the press – "not inside the camp."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," said he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year to be frank."
"He has played some really good knocks. This is talk externally. There's no chat of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
