England's horror performance in the women's Ashes series has led to drama with former player Alex Hartley, who has been left "shocked" by a recent interview snub.
The 31-year-old World Cup winner has worked as a commentator since retiring from professional cricket two years ago and has clearly ruffled some feathers of late.
Hartley called out the team's fitness and form issues during the three ODI games against Australia, claiming some individuals were "letting the team down" early in the series.
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Those comments have since come back to haunt Hartley, who revealed England spinner Sophie Ecclestone brushed her former teammate after Monday night's T20 loss.
"Sophie Ecclestone refused to do a TV interview with me today," she told the BBC.
Sophie Ecclestone during the T20 loss against Australia. Â Getty
"I've been hung out to dry by the England team – none of them will talk to me on the boundary edge. 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 they literally haven't looked at me."
Hartley has also taken to social media to address the recent turn of events.
"To be clear, there are some members of the England team who have been really disappointing, but by no means all," she said via X.
"For some, friendships remain unchanged. For others, I've been shocked and surprised by their response."
It adds further fuel to the fire in what has been a one-sided series thus far, with the hosts taking out all four matches to date to take an unassailable lead.
Hartley explained that her criticism of the performance came from a place of national pride and hopes England can turn things around to restore some sense of pride.
"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," she said.
"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."
