England opening batter Crawley has indicated he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder delivered those words in several conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the Adelaide Test, where the visitors now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, the captain stated he had allowed his message to "circulate freely" within the playing group.
"I have completed all the talking over the past two days that I required," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener made 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. We take everything that is said in the press with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "weak men" comment subsequent to his side were beaten in the second Test to go 2-0 down.
The team subsequently took a break to Noosa between the second and third matches.
Prior to this match, Stokes revealed his team had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their previous tenure in leadership.
"It's been extremely upbeat, the same as always," noted the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
The Hosts On the Verge of Rapid Series Victory
The opener's dismissal late on Saturday was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in a short spell – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a daunting target of 435.
This means, the home team need just four more wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three Tests.
Defeat would prolong England's drought in this country to 18 Tests and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in just 11 days of cricket – with England losing the initial matches in two and four days each.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed a series win in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also won in eleven days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There remains significant pride at stake and we will certainly approach it like that," he continued.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a formidable side. It was inevitably tough touring here against them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide likely secures questions about his short-term place in the side, Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope fell for 17 in the team's second innings on Saturday, adding to his modest returns versus Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and boasts an average of just 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured an equal number of innings in the top six in Ashes Tests and recorded a lower average.
However, the opener said any notion Pope is being scrutinised originates with "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has played several excellent innings. This is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he concluded.
