‘Hung out to dry’: Ex-England player’s ‘unfair’ snub from former teammates after fitness claims

A former English player has revealed she has been “hung out to dry” by the current women’s cricket team in their horror Ashes campaign.

Former English spinner Alex Hartley has revealed she has been “hung out to dry” by England’s current women’s cricket team after she criticised their fitness levels.

Watch every ball of The 2025 Women’s Ashes Series LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer >

England is in the midst of a horror away Ashes series against Australia, and some players are in no mood to talk to now BBC analyst Hartley following the 31-year-old’s controversial comments in October.

Hartley said that some members of the squad were “letting their team down with their fitness”.

It’s clearly struck a nerve, with Hartley revealing that England star Sophie Ecclestone refused an interview with her before Australia’s series-sealing win in Monday’s first T20.

Ecclestone isn’t the only player to have snubbed Hartley though.

Alex Hartley and Sophie Eccelstone

“I’ve been hung out to dry by the England team: none of them will talk to me on the boundary edge,” Hartley said on BBC’s Test Match Special.

“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.

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.https://t.co/FP0GBinYMp

— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) January 21, 2025

“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. (Coach) 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.”

England and Australia resume the women’s Ashes series with a second T20 match on Thursday in what is essentially a dead rubber, although the visitors will be desperate to avoid a clean sweep.

Originally published as ‘Hung out to dry’: Ex-England player’s ‘unfair’ snub from former teammates after fitness claims