England opening batter Crawley suggested he was not familiar with comments made by captain Ben Stokes regarding the dressing room not being "weak men".
Stokes delivered those words in multiple conversations in the wake of England's loss in the second match of the Ashes series versus the Australians earlier this month.
In the lead-up to the third Test, where England now face a series loss at the earliest opportunity, Stokes stated he had allowed his message to "drift around" within the playing group.
"I've done all the talking over the past two days that I needed to have done," remarked Stokes.
However, after the opener made a knock of 85 on the penultimate day in the third Test, he commented: "I didn't see that."
"I didn't see and wasn't really looking out for it. We take anything stated in the media with a pinch of salt," Crawley continued.
Raw Conversations and Consistent Messaging
The captain issued his "weak men" observation after his side were beaten in Brisbane to go two matches behind.
The team subsequently took a break to a Queensland resort in the gap between the second and third Tests.
Before this match, Stokes said his players had held "honest" conversations and he had urged them to "show a bit of dog" in their battle to remain in contention in the series.
Nevertheless, the Kent batsman asserted the guidance from the captain and coach Brendon McCullum had remained consistent with their prior tenure in leadership.
"The atmosphere has been extremely upbeat, the same as always," said the opener. "It's just trying to be optimistic, playing our brand, with lots of freedom. It felt like we were capable of an extraordinary feat entering this Test."
Australia Close of Rapid Ashes Triumph
Crawley's wicket on day four was part of a decisive triple-strike by Australian spinner Nathan Lyon.
Lyon's three wickets in 20 deliveries – including the wickets of Brook and Stokes himself – meant the chasing side 207-6 chasing a daunting total of 435.
Consequently, Australia need four wickets on Sunday's final day to secure an unassailable 3-0 advantage after three Tests.
Defeat will extend England's winless run in Australia to 18 consecutive matches and ensure a fourth successive overseas Ashes series defeat.
The current battle is set to be decided in just eleven days of play – with England fell the first two Tests in rapid time each.
The last time 1921, when the Australians sealed a series win in England in eight days, has the outcome of the urn been decided so quickly. Australia have also won in 11 days on two other instances in the modern era.
"It's disheartening," said the batsman. "Our goal was to regain the Ashes and now we are staring down the barrel now."
"There will still be significant pride at stake and we'll certainly approach it with that mindset," he continued.
"It's been difficult. They're a formidable team. It was always going to be hard touring here against them. They entered as the favourites and they've proven why."
Pope's Place In Question
Although Crawley's innings in the third Test probably answers questions about his short-term place in the England team, Ollie Pope appears under threat for his spot in the Melbourne Test on Boxing Day.
The Surrey batsman was out for 17 runs in England's second knock on Saturday, adding to his poor record versus the old enemy.
In 16 Ashes innings, Pope has failed to score a half-century and averages 17.62.
Only one other English batsman since 1900 – Dennis Amiss – has featured as many times in the top six in the Ashes and returned a poorer average.
However, the opener insisted any suggestion his teammate is under the microscope originates with "you guys" – meaning the press – "and not within the team."
"The squad is fully aware how good of a player he is," added he. "Ollie has enjoyed a productive year to be frank."
"He has played several excellent innings. It is noise from the outside. There's no discussion of that nature regarding Pope in the camp," he finished.
