The English opener Crawley has indicated he was not familiar with comments from skipper Stokes about the team environment as no place for "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple interviews following his team's defeat in the second Ashes against the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where the visitors are staring at defeat at the earliest opportunity, Stokes noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I required," remarked the England leader.
However, after Crawley scored 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 Steady Philosophy
The captain issued his "weak men" observation after England were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently went on a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes revealed his team had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay in contention in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman stated the guidance from the captain and coach McCullum had remained in line with their prior three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," said Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special entering this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket late on Saturday was part of a crucial three-wicket burst by Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's triple strike in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side 207-6 in pursuit of a daunting total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team require four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
Defeat would prolong England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth straight away Ashes loss.
The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of play – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when Australia sealed victory in the UK in eight days, has the destination of the Ashes urn been decided so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disheartening," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to win the Ashes and now we are facing elimination at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"It's been tough. Australia is 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 Crawley's performance in the third Test probably answers doubts about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman fell for 17 in England's second knock on day four, adding to his poor record versus Australia.
Across 16 Ashes innings, Pope has never made a fifty and averages 17.62.
Only one other England player since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in the Ashes and recorded a poorer average.
But, the opener said any notion Pope is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – referring to the journalists – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced some really good knocks. It is talk from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," Crawley finished.
