England opener Crawley suggested he was not familiar with statements made by captain Stokes about the team environment not being "weak men".
The all-rounder made those words in multiple interviews following England's defeat in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians previously.
In the lead-up to the Adelaide Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, Stokes noted he had let his message to "circulate freely" among the squad.
"I have completed all the talking in recent days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
But, after Crawley scored 85 on the fourth day in the third Test, he stated: "I missed those remarks."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the press with some skepticism," he added.
Frank Discussions and Consistent Messaging
The captain made the "fragile individuals" observation after his side suffered a loss in the second Test to fall two matches behind.
The team afterwards took a break to Noosa between the second and third Tests.
Prior to the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "raw" talks and he had asked them to "display some fight" in their battle to stay alive in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the guidance from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained consistent with their previous three years in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, the same as always," noted Crawley. "The focus is just trying to be optimistic, play our way, with great liberty. We believed we were capable of something special going into this game."
Australia On the Verge of Historic Series Victory
Crawley's dismissal on day four came during a crucial three-wicket burst by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Stokes himself – left England six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional total of 435 runs.
This means, the home team need four wickets on the last day to move to an unassailable three-nil lead after three matches played.
A loss would prolong the English team's drought in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and condemn them to a fourth straight away Ashes defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in only eleven days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in rapid time respectively.
The last time 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the destination of the urn been determined more swiftly. The hosts have also triumphed in 11 days on two other occasions in the modern era.
"This is disappointing," said the batsman. "We came here to win the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel at this point."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we will certainly approach it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was inevitably tough touring here to face them. They were the favourites coming in to it they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although the opener's performance in Adelaide probably answers questions about his immediate place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under immense pressure for his position in the fourth Test starting December 26th.
Pope fell for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his modest returns against the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has failed to score a half-century and averages just 17.62.
Only one other England player in over a century – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top order in Ashes Tests and recorded a poorer average.
However, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "the media" – meaning the journalists – "and not within the team."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a good year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. This is talk externally. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," he finished.
