The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements made by skipper Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
The all-rounder delivered those words in multiple conversations following England's defeat in the second Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
Ahead of the third Test, where the visitors now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes stated he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I have completed the necessary discussions over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
However, following the opener made 85 on the penultimate 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 media with some skepticism," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
The captain made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The England squad subsequently went on a holiday to Noosa in the gap between the second and third matches.
Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "raw" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain alive in the series.
Yet, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and head coach Brendon McCullum had remained in line with their prior tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "The focus is on maintaining positivity, play our way, with lots of freedom. We believed we could do something special going into this game."
The Hosts Close of Rapid Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australia off-spinner Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in a short spell – he also bowled Brook and Stokes himself – left the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435.
This means, the home team require just four more wickets on the last day to secure an insurmountable three-nil advantage after three matches played.
A loss would prolong the English team's winless run in this country to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth successive overseas Ashes defeat.
The current battle will be completed in only 11 days of cricket – after England losing the initial matches in rapid time respectively.
Not since 1921, when Australia sealed victory in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been determined so quickly. The hosts have also triumphed in eleven days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"It's disappointing," admitted Crawley. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we will definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. They're a very, very good side. It was always going to be tough touring here to face them. They were the front-runners coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Position In Question
Although the opener's innings in Adelaide probably answers doubts about his immediate future in the side, Ollie Pope looks under threat for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in the team's second innings on Saturday, extending his modest returns versus the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a fifty and boasts an average of 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played an equal number of innings in the top order in the Ashes and returned a lower average.
But, the opener said any suggestion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – referring to the press – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "He has had a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise externally. There is no chat of that nature regarding Pope amongst the players," he finished.
