Sophie Ecclestone “refused” to be interviewed by Alex Hartley, the former World Cup-winning spinner for England, on television, and she has been “given the cold shoulder” by the England players since she criticized their fitness after their T20 World Cup loss in October.
After their unexpected loss to the West Indies in Dubai, Hartley, who has worked widely as a commentator and broadcaster after leaving professional cricket, had said that a few players were “letting the team down” with their level of fitness. Both Heather Knight and England’s coach and captain, Jon Lewis, denied that it had played a role in their elimination in the group round.
Hartley said she had been shut out after England lost by 57 runs in Monday’s first Twenty20 International in Sydney, which put Australia ahead 8-0 in the Ashes and guaranteed they would keep the championship. She stated on the BBC’s TMS podcast, “Sophie Ecclestone declined to do a TV interview with me today.” “The England squad has left me hanging; they won’t speak to me on the boundary line.
“I stated that they were not as fit as Australia because I want them to compete with them, outperform them, and win World Cups and Ashes. Since I voiced my viewpoint, the England team has consistently ignored me.
“Not every single one of them has ignored me. They haven’t all been the same, so I don’t want to claim that. I’ve talked to several of the players in the street, on the field, and everywhere else, and they have been very exceptional. However, other people—coaches and players—haven’t even looked at me.
Throughout the Ashes, England’s fielding has been problematic. England’s three ODI losses at the beginning of the trip were caused by a number of mistakes, and Beth Mooney was dismissed early in her game-winning 75 in Sydney on Monday. It spurred Hartley to restate her opinion that Australia’s “athleticism” has been difficult for England to match throughout the series.
She remarked, “I’ve obviously upset them.” “Jon Lewis has stated publicly that there is no issue with fitness on his team or in the overall climate of England. It’s clear that they don’t share my opinion, which is perfectly OK. Both they and I have the right to our own opinions.
“It’s my responsibility to point out things that need improvement, and I did, but the way I’ve been handled subsequently is completely unjust, in my opinion. However, they’ll claim that my remarks were unjust, so if that’s how our relationship develops going ahead, then so be it. It’s athleticism from a select few, isn’t it, if fitness isn’t an issue?”
