Ex-England Spinner Speaks Out on Isolation from Former Teammates
Former England spinner and World Cup winner Alex Hartley has alleged that some members of the England women’s cricket team, including star spinner Sophie Ecclestone, are refusing to engage with her following comments she made about their fitness levels. Hartley, who transitioned to punditry after her retirement, revealed the issue after England’s 57-run loss to Australia in the first T20I of the Women’s Ashes in Sydney.
The Fallout
Speaking on the BBC’s TMS podcast, Hartley stated that Ecclestone declined a boundary-side interview with her during the match. “I’ve been hung out to dry by the England team. None of them will speak to me during matches,” Hartley said. She explained that the tension began after she criticized the team’s fitness levels following their exit from the T20 World Cup in October.
Hartley clarified that her comments stemmed from a desire to see England compete at the highest level. “I said they weren’t as fit as Australia because I want them to be better. I want them to win Ashes and World Cups,” she added.
However, Hartley also noted that not all players have treated her coldly. “Some players and coaches have been great—chatting with me on the street, at the ground. But a few individuals have avoided me completely,” she shared.
England’s Struggles on the Field
England’s ongoing tour of Australia for the Women’s Ashes has been challenging, with the visitors losing all three ODIs before the T20I defeat. Hartley pointed to poor fielding as a significant issue, highlighting moments like Beth Mooney’s dropped catch during her match-winning 75 in Sydney. A string of fielding errors has compounded England’s troubles, contributing to their losses in the multi-format series.
Hartley has reiterated that England’s inability to match Australia’s athleticism is a crucial factor. “I’ve upset them, clearly,” she said, adding that head coach Jon Lewis dismissed claims of a fitness problem in the squad.
Defending Her Opinions
Despite the backlash, Hartley remains firm in her stance. “It’s my job to point out areas for improvement, and I stand by what I said,” she remarked. However, she described the response from certain team members as “totally unfair.”
“If fitness isn’t the issue, then it has to be athleticism from some players. That’s my opinion, and they’re entitled to disagree,” Hartley concluded.
The Road Ahead
England faces an uphill battle in the Women’s Ashes, with Australia dominating the series so far. As the team looks to regroup, Hartley’s comments have sparked broader discussions about fitness and performance standards in women’s cricket. Whether this episode affects relationships within the English cricketing fraternity remains to be seen.
