Hartley’s criticism of England’s fitness levels

England were eliminated at the group stage of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. Following their exit, Hartley had criticised the fitness of the cricketers. She accused some cricketers of “letting the team down” with their fitness levels. Captain Heather Knight and coach Jon Lewis had subsequently denied that fitness had resulted in England’s elimination.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Hartley has now claimed that Ecclestone had “refused to be interviewed by her on TV”, while the team has given her “the cold shoulder” in the aftermath of the criticism. Hartley used to play for England until 2019, and had played at international level alongside some current England cricketers, including Ecclestone.

England’s ongoing Ashes campaign in Australia has begun in dismal fashion. Having won all three ODIs and the first T20I, Australia have already taken an unassailable 8-0 lead in the 16-point contest and have retained the Ashes with four games to go. The 57-run defeat in the T20I was also England’s joint second-largest in the format.

Hartley: I’ve upset them clearly

“Sophie Ecclestone refused to do a TV interview with me today,” told Hartley on the BBC Test Match special podcast after the defeat. “I’ve been hung out to dry by the England team: none of them will talk to me on the boundary edge.

“The reason I said that they were not as fit as Australia is because I want them to compete with Australia. I want them to be better than Australia. And I want them to win Ashes and World Cups.

“I’m giving my opinion, and I’ve been given the cold shoulder from the England team ever since. Not all of them have given me the cold shoulder. I don’t want to say that they’ve all been the same, because they haven’t. Some of the players have been absolutely outstanding: I’ve spoken to them in the street, at the ground, wherever. But a few individuals – coaches, players – they literally haven’t looked at me.

“I’ve upset them, clearly. Jon Lewis has come out and said there isn’t a problem with fitness in his squad. There isn’t a problem with fitness 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’re entitled to theirs.

“It’s my job to say if I see something that needs to be better, and I did, but the way that I’ve been treated since I think is totally unfair. But they will say that my comments were unfair, so if that’s the way our relationship is going to be moving forwards, then so be it.

“If fitness isn’t a problem, then it’s athleticism from a few, isn’t it?”

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