The English opener Zak Crawley suggested he had no knowledge of statements from captain Ben Stokes about the dressing room not being "those lacking fortitude".
Stokes made this message in several interviews in the wake of his team's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus Australia earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face defeat with a match to spare, the captain noted he had let his sentiment to "drift around" within the squad.
"I've done the necessary discussions in recent days that I needed to have done," said Stokes.
However, after Crawley scored a knock of 85 on the fourth day in Adelaide, he stated: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. Our approach is to take anything stated in the press with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Frank Discussions and Steady Philosophy
Stokes made the "fragile individuals" comment after England were beaten in Brisbane to fall 2-0 down.
The England squad afterwards took a holiday to a Queensland resort between the second and the upcoming Tests.
Before the Adelaide contest, Stokes said his team had held "honest" talks and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to stay in contention in the Ashes battle.
Nevertheless, Crawley asserted the messaging from Stokes and head coach McCullum had remained in line with their previous tenure in charge.
"The atmosphere has been very positive, unchanged," noted Crawley. "It's on maintaining positivity, playing our brand, with great liberty. We believed we could do something special entering this game."
Australia Close of Historic Ashes Triumph
The opener's wicket on day four came during a crucial triple-strike by Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
The spinner's triple strike in 20 deliveries – he also bowled Harry Brook and Ben Stokes – meant the chasing side six down for 207 in pursuit of a notional target of 435 runs.
Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's last day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage with three matches played.
Defeat will extend the English team's drought in Australia to 18 Tests and ensure a fourth successive away Ashes series defeat.
This series is set to be decided in just 11 days of play – after England fell the first two Tests in two and four days respectively.
Not since 1921, when the Australians completed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the Ashes urn been determined so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the 21st century.
"This is disappointing," admitted Crawley. "We came here to regain the Ashes and we're staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be plenty to play for and we'll definitely view it like that," Crawley added.
"The challenge has been tough. Australia is a very, very good side. It was always going to be hard touring here to face them. They were the favourites and have demonstrated their quality."
Pope's Position In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test likely secures questions about his short-term place in the England team, Pope appears under threat for his spot in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.
Pope was out for 17 in England's second innings on day four, extending his poor record against Australia.
In 16 Ashes innings, the Surrey man has never made a half-century and averages just 17.62.
A solitary other England player in over a century – Amiss – has played as many times in the top six in the Ashes and recorded a lower average.
But, Crawley said any notion his teammate is being scrutinised comes from "you guys" – referring to the press – "not inside the camp."
"We all know of his considerable talent," added Crawley. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year if I'm honest."
"He has produced several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There is no discussion of that nature on Ollie in the camp," Crawley finished.
