Hartley, who has worked extensively as a broadcaster and pundit since retiring from professional cricket, had said a handful of players were “letting the team down” with their fitness level after their shock defeat to the West Indies in Dubai. Heather Knight and Jon Lewis, England’s captain and coach, denied that this had contributed to their elimination in the group stage.
“The reason I said 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 am giving my opinion and since then the team England has treated me coldly.
“Not all of them have turned their backs on me. I don’t want to say that they have all been the same, because that is not the case. Some of the players have been absolutely exceptional: I have spoken to them on “On the street, on the field, anywhere. But some people (coaches, players) literally haven’t looked at me.”
“I’ve upset them, clearly,” he said. “Jon Lewis came out and said there’s no problem with fitness in his team, there’s no problem with fitness in the England environment. Obviously they think I’m completely wrong in my opinion, which is fine, absolutely.” . Well, I have a right to my opinions and they have a right to theirs.
“It’s my job to say if I see something that needs to be better, and I did, but I think the way I’ve been treated since then is totally unfair. But they will say my comments were unfair, so if that’s the way that our relationship will move forward, then so be it… If fitness isn’t a problem, then it’s the athleticism of the few, right?”
The England team has been contacted for comment.