Former England cricketer and TV pundit Alex Hartley feels abandoned by the current England team after she raised concerns about their fitness levels.
The ex-spinner revealed that current bowler Sophie Ecclestone declined a TV interview with her before the first Women’s Ashes T20 match on Monday.
Hartley, a World Cup winner with England in 2017, had criticized England’s fitness in October after their early exit in the T20 World Cup due to a surprising loss to West Indies in Dubai.
She pointed out that some England players were “letting their team down” with their fitness levels.
Following England’s defeat on Monday, which gave Australia an unassailable 8-0 lead in the Women’s Ashes, Hartley mentioned that Ecclestone refused to engage with her, indicating that the team continued to ignore her.
“I’ve been left out to dry by the England team: none of them are willing to talk to me on the boundary edge,” Hartley shared with the BBC’s Test Match Special.
“I made those comments about their fitness compared to Australia because I want them to excel against Australia, to surpass them, and to win Ashes and World Cups. I’m stating my opinion, and I’ve been ignored by the England team ever since.
“Not all of them have ignored me. I don’t want to generalize because some players have been very supportive: they have engaged with me on the street, at the ground, wherever. But a few individuals – coaches, players – have completely avoided me.”
Hartley believes that her critiques on the team’s fitness have offended head coach Jon Lewis and the squad, but she insists that if it’s not a general fitness issue among the squad, then it must be the “athleticism of a few.”
“I’ve obviously upset them,” she remarked.
“Jon Lewis has stated that there are no fitness problems in his squad, nor in the England environment. They clearly disagree with my opinion – which is fine, absolutely fine. I have the right to express my views, and they have the right to express theirs.
“It’s my responsibility to point out areas for improvement, and I did, but I feel the treatment I’ve received since then is completely unfair. However, if fitness isn’t the problem, then it must be the athleticism of a few individuals, right?”
Women’s Ashes – results and fixtures
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