Alex Hartley condemns England team's cold shoulder after fitness comments

Former England spinner Alex Hartley has expressed her dismay at being sidelined by members of the England women’s cricket team following her comments about their fitness levels.  

Hartley, who is currently working as a broadcaster in Australia, revealed that her former teammate Sophie Ecclestone declined to give her an interview during England’s first T20I against Australia on Monday.  

The incident comes after Hartley criticized the fitness standards of some England players following their early exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.  

"I feel like I’ve been hung out to dry," Hartley said in the podcast. "I made those comments because I want England to compete, improve, and win. But ever since, I’ve been given the cold shoulder by certain players and coaches," she added.   

Hartley clarified that her comments were not aimed at the entire squad, acknowledging that around 80% of the players were fit and athletic. However, she noted that a few individuals were not meeting the required fitness standards, which she believed impacted the team’s overall performance.  

England’s coach Jon Lewis dismissed Hartley’s concerns, calling them unwarranted. "I’m surprised by those remarks," Lewis said. "Fitness had absolutely nothing to do with our performance in the World Cup," he added.   

Responding to Lewis’s comments, Hartley maintained her stance, emphasizing that it was her job as a cricket analyst to point out areas for improvement.  

"Clearly, my remarks upset them. Jon Lewis disagrees with me, and that’s fine – everyone is entitled to their opinion," she said. "But the way I’ve been treated since making those comments has been unfair," she added.   

Hartley concluded by reaffirming her commitment to speaking openly about the sport. "If something needs to be addressed, I will say it. That’s my role, and I stand by my comments," she concluded.