Hartley Discusses Challenges After Cold Shoulder from England
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Synopsis
Alex Hartley, a former England women’s left-arm spinner, has expressed her struggles following the cold shoulder treatment from former teammates during the Women's Ashes. She shared her disappointment and frustrations about the negative reactions she faced after questioning the team's fitness levels.
Key Takeaways
- Alex Hartley faced backlash from former teammates.
- She expressed concerns about team fitness after the T20 World Cup exit.
- Ebony Rainford-Brent supported Hartley’s honesty.
- Isabelle Westbury highlighted the challenges of player transitions.
- Women’s sports are gaining public attention.
New Delhi, Jan 23 (NationPress) Former England women’s left-arm spinner Alex Hartley shared that she has faced several challenging days and has been deeply affected by the backlash following her claims of receiving a cold shoulder from some former England teammates during the Women's Ashes.
Having participated in 26 ODIs and four T20Is for England, Alex is now serving as an expert for radio and television networks in Australia. She disclosed that during the first T20I defeat, she was denied an interview by fellow left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone.
This incident unfolded after Alex expressed concerns regarding the team's fitness levels after their unexpected exit in the group stage of last year’s Women’s T20 World Cup. England wicketkeeper Amy Jones countered Alex's claims, stating that the team enjoys her presence. "It's been a pretty tough few days for me. I wasn't expecting it to be in the newspapers and all over the UK press, so it has actually hit me pretty hard personally. Ultimately, I was frustrated and upset with the events that preceded that first T20," Alex told TNT Sports during the second T20I.
Former England women’s batter Ebony Rainford-Brent remarked that this situation illustrates the challenges faced by cricketers transitioning into commentary roles, while also endorsing Hartley’s capacity to excel as a broadcaster in Australia.
"I understand the transition from the dressing room to commentary. You don't want to undermine your friends because you might want to share a drink with them later. I appreciate Hartley's honesty regarding the players' fitness and her willingness to voice it," Rainford-Brent explained.
Additionally, she expressed disappointment that Ecclestone did not pursue the interview, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling both on-field and off-field responsibilities as a player. "Women’s sports are gaining visibility. My taxi driver mentioned he had never watched cricket but was aware of this story. Women's sports are on the rise, and we all need to adapt to this change more swiftly," she stated.
Former Middlesex player Isabelle Westbury noted that England's difficulties in Australia, coupled with escalating expectations of players, have exacerbated the situation. "I completely support Hartley’s comments. One can understand the remarks coming from the England camp," she shared.
"They are professional athletes. We are entering a new era in women’s sports where they receive substantial pay and must acknowledge their roles as not just athletes, but also as role models who should engage with the media," she added.
"To improve against a team that is, frankly, dominating them is essential for the advancement of women’s sports. We need personalities, a bit of edge, and the same engaging discussions that are present in men’s sports coverage. Why can’t we have characters, disagreements, and debates in women’s sports? I fully support it," she concluded during her comments on BBC Radio 5 Live.
