‘Isolated’ England cricket legend claims star player rejected TV interview after Ashes defeat
Alex Hartley claims England cricketer Sophie Ecclestone ‘refused’ to speak to her after the T20I loss to Australia. The former World Cup winner feels she has been given the ‘cold shoulder’ by England players since she openly criticised their fitness following the team’s T20 World Cup exit in October. Alex Hartley says she has been ‘hung out to dry’ by the England teamGetty The now-broadcaster and pundit has boldly stated that a handful of players were ‘letting the team down’ with their fitness levels after their shocking defeat to the West Indies in Dubai. Her comments were made in an article on ESPN, and Hartley reshared the piece, saying: “To be clear, there are some members of the England team who have been really disappointing, but by no means all. “For some, friendships remain unchanged. For others, I’ve been shocked and surprised by their response.” Heather Knight and Jon Lewis, England’s captain and coach, both refuted any notion that fitness had contributed to their group-stage elimination. Following England’s 57-run defeat in Monday’s first T20I in Sydney, a match that put Australia 8-0 up in the Ashes and secured their hold on the trophy, Hartley expressed feeling shunned. “Sophie Ecclestone refused to do a TV interview with me today,” she revealed on the BBC’s TMS podcast. “I’ve been left feeling isolated by the England team: none of them will engage with me on the boundary edge. “The reason I stated they weren’t as fit as Australia is because I genuinely want them to compete with Australia. “I want them to rise above and achieve victory in the Ashes and World Cups. “I’m simply sharing my perspective, and I’ve felt the sting of being given the cold shoulder ever since. View Tweet: https://t.co/FP0GBinYMp “Not all players have turned away from me. I don’t want to suggest they’ve all acted uniformly because they haven’t. “Some players have been absolutely wonderful: I’ve exchanged friendly words with them on the street, at the ground, wherever. “But a few individuals—coaches, players—have literally avoided making eye contact with me.” England’s fielding has been a significant concern throughout the Ashes. Beth Mooney was let off the hook early in her match-winning 75 in Sydney on Monday, while a series of blunders contributed to England’s three ODI defeats at the start of the tour. This led Hartley to reaffirm her belief that England have struggled to keep pace with Australia’s ‘athleticism’ throughout the series. England bowler Sophie Ecclestone ‘refused’ to speak to Hartley.Getty England Women’s coach, Jon Lewis, has denied the squad have a fitness issue.Getty She added: “I’ve clearly upset them. Jon Lewis has publicly stated that there isn’t a fitness problem in his squad, that there isn’t a fitness issue within the England environment. “They evidently think I’m completely mistaken in my viewpoint—which is okay, absolutely okay. “I’m entitled to my opinions, and they’re entitled to theirs. “It’s my responsibility to point out what needs improvement, and I did, but the way I’ve been treated since then feels quite unfair. “But they might argue that my comments were unjust, so if this is how our relationship is destined to unfold, then so be it… “If fitness isn’t the issue, then it surely comes down to athleticism with a few, doesn’t it?” The second of three T20s, each worth two points, is set to take place in Canberra on Thursday.
Alex Hartley claims England cricketer Sophie Ecclestone ‘refused’ to speak to her after the T20I loss to Australia.
The former World Cup winner feels she has been given the ‘cold shoulder’ by England players since she openly criticised their fitness following the team’s T20 World Cup exit in October.
The now-broadcaster and pundit has boldly stated that a handful of players were ‘letting the team down’ with their fitness levels after their shocking defeat to the West Indies in Dubai.
Her comments were made in an article on ESPN, and Hartley reshared the piece, saying: “To be clear, there are some members of the England team who have been really disappointing, but by no means all.
“For some, friendships remain unchanged. For others, I’ve been shocked and surprised by their response.”
Heather Knight and Jon Lewis, England’s captain and coach, both refuted any notion that fitness had contributed to their group-stage elimination.
Following England’s 57-run defeat in Monday’s first T20I in Sydney, a match that put Australia 8-0 up in the Ashes and secured their hold on the trophy, Hartley expressed feeling shunned.
“Sophie Ecclestone refused to do a TV interview with me today,” she revealed on the BBC’s TMS podcast.
“I’ve been left feeling isolated by the England team: none of them will engage with me on the boundary edge.
“The reason I stated they weren’t as fit as Australia is because I genuinely want them to compete with Australia.
“I want them to rise above and achieve victory in the Ashes and World Cups.
“I’m simply sharing my perspective, and I’ve felt the sting of being given the cold shoulder ever since.
“Not all players have turned away from me. I don’t want to suggest they’ve all acted uniformly because they haven’t.
“Some players have been absolutely wonderful: I’ve exchanged friendly words with them on the street, at the ground, wherever.
“But a few individuals—coaches, players—have literally avoided making eye contact with me.”
England’s fielding has been a significant concern throughout the Ashes.
Beth Mooney was let off the hook early in her match-winning 75 in Sydney on Monday, while a series of blunders contributed to England’s three ODI defeats at the start of the tour.
This led Hartley to reaffirm her belief that England have struggled to keep pace with Australia’s ‘athleticism’ throughout the series.
She added: “I’ve clearly upset them. Jon Lewis has publicly stated that there isn’t a fitness problem in his squad, that there isn’t a fitness issue within the England environment.
“They evidently think I’m completely mistaken in my viewpoint—which is okay, absolutely okay.
“I’m entitled to my opinions, and they’re entitled to theirs.
“It’s my responsibility to point out what needs improvement, and I did, but the way I’ve been treated since then feels quite unfair.
“But they might argue that my comments were unjust, so if this is how our relationship is destined to unfold, then so be it…
“If fitness isn’t the issue, then it surely comes down to athleticism with a few, doesn’t it?”
The second of three T20s, each worth two points, is set to take place in Canberra on Thursday.
What's Your Reaction?
