England stars accused of abandoning World Cup-winning ex-teammate: 'I'm left high and dry by the team'

"Hartley expressed frustration after Sophie Ecclestone declined to participate in a TV interview with her following England's defeat to Australia in the first T20I. In a statement to the BBC's TMS podcast, Hartley criticized the England team for not engaging with her on the boundary edge, stating that she feels abandoned. She explained that her comments about the team's fitness compared to Australia were made with the intention of motivating them to strive for greatness and achieve success in major tournaments like the Ashes and World Cups. Despite her good intentions, Hartley revealed that she has faced rejection from the England team since sharing her opinion."

"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," Hartley further said.

England's woes in the field

England are currently touring Australia for the Women's Ashes, which, unlike the men's counterpart, is a multi-format series which is in the end won by the team with the higher points. It has thus far been a disaster for the tourists as Australia won all three ODIs quite comfortably before the 57-run win in the first T20I. A key part of England's worries have been their sloppy fielding. Beth Mooney was dropped early in her match-winning 75 in Sydney on Monday, while a series of errors contributed to England's three ODI defeats at the start of the tour. Hartley had reiterated that England are unable to match up to Australia's "athleticism".

"I've upset them, clearly," she said. "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?" she said.

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