Alex Hartley: Former England spinner turned broadcaster says team have ‘hung me out to dry’ after fitness comments | Cricket News

Former England cricketer and TV pundit Alex Hartley has said she was “hanged out to dry” by the current England squad after she questioned their fitness levels.

The former spinner has claimed that current bowler Sophie Ecclestone refused to be interviewed on television ahead of the first women’s Ashes T20 on Monday.

Hartley, who won the World Cup with England in 2017, criticized England’s fitness in October when they suffered an early exit from the T20 World Cup after a shock loss to the West Indies in Dubai.

She said some England players had “let their team down” because of their fitness

With England’s defeat on Monday giving Australia an unassailable 8-0 lead in the Women’s Ashes, Hartley said Ecclestone refused to speak to her as the team continued to be “cold” towards her.

“I was hung out to dry by the England team: none of them would talk to me on the edge,” Hartley said. Test match special on BBC.

“The reason I said they’re not as fit as Australia is because I want them to compete with Australia, I want them to be better than Australia, I want them to win the Ashes Cup and the World Cup. I’m giving my opinion.” I have received cold treatment from the England team ever since.

“Not all of them gave me the cold shoulder. I don’t want to say they were all the same, because they weren’t. Some of the players were absolutely fantastic: I talked to them on the street, on the ground, wherever, but some individuals – coaches, players – just didn’t look at me. Literally to me.”

Hartley believes her comments about the team’s fitness have upset head coach John Lewis and the team, but insists that if it is not a general fitness issue among the squad, the issue must be “the sportsmanship of some”.

“It clearly upset them,” she added.

“John Lewis has come out and said there’s no fitness problem in his team, there’s no fitness problem in the England environment. They obviously think I’m completely wrong in my opinion – which is fine, absolutely fine. I’m entitled to my opinions, and they They are entitled to express their opinions.

“It’s my job to say if I see something needs improving, and I did, but the way I’ve been treated since then I think is completely unfair. But they will say my comments were unfair, so if that’s the case that’s the way our relationship will move forward.” Forward, so be it… If fitness is not an issue, it is athletic than some, right?”

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