Ecclestone keen to 'move on' from Hartley incident
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone says she has "moved on" and "learned from" her refusal to do an interview with Alex Hartley during the Women's Ashes in January.Hartley, who was working as a pundit for the BBC and other networks, was refused a TV interview by former England team-mate Ecclestone during England's 16-0 thrashing.It came after Hartley questioned the fitness levels of some of England's players following their early exit from the T20 World Cup last year.Speaking for the first time since the incident, Ecclestone, 25, told BBC Sport: "It is in the past now. "We have got a really exciting summer this year and I am really excited to get back with England and playing West Indies and India again."
Ecclestone's refusal to do an interview was prior to the first T20, at which point England were already 6-0 down in the multi-format points-based series.Clare Connor, the managing director of England women's cricket, has since described the episode as "an unfortunate incident that won't happen again". Ecclestone and Hartley have not spoken since.Asked why she refused the interview, Ecclestone reiterated her wish to look forward."Everyone has moved on now, as I said," the left-arm spinner said."There is not much more to be said about that story. "Me and Alex have moved on and we have both learned from that. I am excited for the summer to start."Former spinner Hartley, who is currently working with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League, told BBC Sport: "Sophie and I respect one another and we absolutely have moved on. We will continue to move forward."The fallout from England's defeat in Australia resulted in Jon Lewis and Heather Knight being sacked as coach and captain respectively.Lewis has been replaced by legendary former captain Charlotte Edwards, who said at her unveiling she will make players "accountable" for fitness.After England were knocked out of the T20 World Cup group stage in October, former spinner Hartley said some players were "letting the team down" in terms of fitness."Everyone has got their own opinion and everyone is entitled to that," Ecclestone said."Not many people see how hard we work behind closed doors as cricketers and people. People can have their own opinion."It is a new era now and we are all excited to start working hard and hopefully get a few trophies this year."
Not the 'right time' to be captain - Ecclestone
The position to be England captain remains vacant but Ecclestone, who has served as vice-captain, said she was unsure if it is the "right time" for her to take over."I feel like I would love to do it in the future but I am not sure now is the right time," Ecclestone said. "I am still working on myself and getting better as a cricketer."Ecclestone was speaking at Wythenshawe Cricket Club in Manchester as part of the ECB's Get Set Weekend, where more than 1,700 clubs across the country - record number for the project - get prepared for the new season with the help of 37,000 volunteers.She made her England debut aged 17 in 2016, after Edwards had retired as a player, but as a highly-rated youngster was involved in the England set-up under the former batter."When I was 16 and started coming into the England environment Lottie was captain and I was scared to meet her," Ecclestone said."I remember when I went in I was like 'Charlotte Edwards is in that room…' "I am so excited to work with her again."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
25 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Friday briefing: Lamine Yamal stars for Spain and ‘no crisis' for Sarina Wiegman
England boss Sarina Wiegman named her squad for Euro 2025 – insisting there was no 'crisis' in the Lionesses' camp. Russell Martin was announced as the new Rangers manager and Wales geared up for their next World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Friday night, when Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will both play friendlies. An all-time classic in the Nations League semi-finals 🤯#NationsLeague — UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025 Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal scored twice as holders Spain beat France 5-4 in an entertaining heavyweight clash in Stuttgart to book their place in the Nations League final against Portugal. Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino in the space of three minutes midway through the first half had put the European champions in control. Yamal, 17, slotted in a penalty soon after the restart, with Pedri then swiftly clipping home a fourth before Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back for France from the spot in the 59th minute. After Lamal showed more fine close control to slide in a second goal, Lyon winger Rayan Cherki marked his debut off the bench when he crashed in a volley with 10 minutes left. A late own goal from Dani Vivian saw France claw back another before Randal Kolo Muani headed in during stoppage time. Spain, though, held out to make a third straight Nations League final, which will be played in Munich on Sunday. England boss Sarina Wiegman insisted there was no 'crisis' as she named a 23-strong squad for Euro 2025 following a tumultuous month for the Lionesses. It has been a far from settled few weeks as England prepared to defend their European crown, opening the campaign against France in Zurich on July 5. Both goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacker Fran Kirby had announced their retirement from international football, while defender Millie Bright pulled out of the tournament to prioritize her mental health, with Chelsea later confirming she had undergone minor knee surgery. Wiegman, though, dismissed the idea the Lionesses camp is unsettled. Chelsea striker Lauren James, recovering from a hamstring injury, has been included in the squad, alongside 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang. 'We're going with this 23 to the Euros and I'm comfortable, happy and excited. For me it doesn't feel like a crisis at all,' Wiegman said. 'There is always noise, so we expect noise before we go into a tournament. The difference is in my first tournament, the attention and visibility with the women's team has increased. 'We have to deal with it and move on and focus on football.' Wales boss Craig Bellamy says one of the world's worst football teams Liechtenstein have given him sleepless nights ahead of their World Cup qualifier. Liechtenstein – ranked 205th out of FIFA's 210 nations – have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March. Bellamy, though, warned against any sense of complacency from his side in Cardiff on Friday night. 'We've prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else – it doesn't matter who we play against,' the Wales boss said. 'I was up late last night. I didn't sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same.' New Rangers head coach Russell Martin has told sceptics he is looking to prove them wrong. News of the former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager's three-year deal at Ibrox has not gone down well with some supporters. However, former Scotland defender Martin, who had an unsuccessful loan period at Rangers in 2018, is ready to meet the challenges head on. 💙 — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 'My whole career has been based on proving people wrong, really. At every level I got questioned,' former Norwich captain Martin, 39, said. 'I got to the Premier League as a player, I wasn't convinced I could do it, but I managed to establish myself there for a little while, played international football, which I'm incredibly proud of. 'So it's the same again as a manager – I had to prove people wrong at every opportunity.' England boss Thomas Tuchel will hold a press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona. Wales later take on Liechtenstein in their Group J fixture in Cardiff, while Scotland play a friendly against Iceland as do the Republic of Ireland when they host Senegal. Ahead of all that on Friday morning, England under-21s coach Lee Carsley will name his squad for the upcoming European Championships in Slovakia.
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
Is 'generational talent' Branthwaite 'priceless'? Send us your thoughts
With a first summer transfer window under the new ownership and a number of players out of contract, Everton could be set for a busy and transitional fans will be keeping a close eye on what happens with Jarrad Branthwaite, the defender having attracted interest previously and being one of the club's most highly valued fan Lee McClean told BBC Radio Merseyside: "My number one priority is keeping him at all costs. I would refute any sort of bids for him and would love to work around it if we possibly can and explore every option."I think he is priceless, he is a generational talent."Despite Everton's struggles, and we have just finished 13th again, I think we are third or fourth in defensive stats. If you look at Everton's goalkeeper and centre-half pairing, it is almost faultless. Even the top four would probably have a decision to make if they were given the option to replace what they have got with what Everton have got - it is that good."So even if we got £100m [for Branthwaite], what are you going to do with it? You are not going to improve on what we have got because Everton aren't in a position to go and pick a £50m centre-back from the top four or five in Europe because we are just not."But you have to be realistic. As much as we are partisan and romantic and would love Jarrad Branthwaite to stay with Everton like Dave Watson for the whole of his career, football has changed."He can be anything he wants to be, he can play for any club in Europe, and we are not talking potential - he is the real deal now. His ceiling has still got so much more left, he has still got so much headroom."So unless Everton can match his ambition and do something like Aston Villa or Nottingham Forest have done, then Branthwaite has got every reason to say 'I'm gone'."How do you feel about Branthwaite's future with Everton? Do they need to keep him at all costs?Let us knowListen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds
Leader Live
37 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Friday briefing: Lamine Yamal stars for Spain and ‘no crisis' for Sarina Wiegman
England boss Sarina Wiegman named her squad for Euro 2025 – insisting there was no 'crisis' in the Lionesses' camp. Russell Martin was announced as the new Rangers manager and Wales geared up for their next World Cup qualifier in Cardiff on Friday night, when Scotland and the Republic of Ireland will both play friendlies. An all-time classic in the Nations League semi-finals 🤯#NationsLeague — UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) June 5, 2025 Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal scored twice as holders Spain beat France 5-4 in an entertaining heavyweight clash in Stuttgart to book their place in the Nations League final against Portugal. Goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Merino in the space of three minutes midway through the first half had put the European champions in control. Yamal, 17, slotted in a penalty soon after the restart, with Pedri then swiftly clipping home a fourth before Kylian Mbappe pulled a goal back for France from the spot in the 59th minute. After Lamal showed more fine close control to slide in a second goal, Lyon winger Rayan Cherki marked his debut off the bench when he crashed in a volley with 10 minutes left. A late own goal from Dani Vivian saw France claw back another before Randal Kolo Muani headed in during stoppage time. Spain, though, held out to make a third straight Nations League final, which will be played in Munich on Sunday. England boss Sarina Wiegman insisted there was no 'crisis' as she named a 23-strong squad for Euro 2025 following a tumultuous month for the Lionesses. It has been a far from settled few weeks as England prepared to defend their European crown, opening the campaign against France in Zurich on July 5. Both goalkeeper Mary Earps and attacker Fran Kirby had announced their retirement from international football, while defender Millie Bright pulled out of the tournament to prioritize her mental health, with Chelsea later confirming she had undergone minor knee surgery. Wiegman, though, dismissed the idea the Lionesses camp is unsettled. Chelsea striker Lauren James, recovering from a hamstring injury, has been included in the squad, alongside 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang. 'We're going with this 23 to the Euros and I'm comfortable, happy and excited. For me it doesn't feel like a crisis at all,' Wiegman said. 'There is always noise, so we expect noise before we go into a tournament. The difference is in my first tournament, the attention and visibility with the women's team has increased. 'We have to deal with it and move on and focus on football.' Wales boss Craig Bellamy says one of the world's worst football teams Liechtenstein have given him sleepless nights ahead of their World Cup qualifier. Liechtenstein – ranked 205th out of FIFA's 210 nations – have not won a competitive game since September 2020, and lost their opening two World Cup qualifiers in March. Bellamy, though, warned against any sense of complacency from his side in Cardiff on Friday night. 'We've prepared for Liechtenstein as we did for Turkey and everyone else – it doesn't matter who we play against,' the Wales boss said. 'I was up late last night. I didn't sleep well. Does that tell you something? I treat every team the same.' New Rangers head coach Russell Martin has told sceptics he is looking to prove them wrong. News of the former MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton manager's three-year deal at Ibrox has not gone down well with some supporters. However, former Scotland defender Martin, who had an unsuccessful loan period at Rangers in 2018, is ready to meet the challenges head on. 💙 — Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) June 5, 2025 'My whole career has been based on proving people wrong, really. At every level I got questioned,' former Norwich captain Martin, 39, said. 'I got to the Premier League as a player, I wasn't convinced I could do it, but I managed to establish myself there for a little while, played international football, which I'm incredibly proud of. 'So it's the same again as a manager – I had to prove people wrong at every opportunity.' England boss Thomas Tuchel will hold a press conference on Friday afternoon ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona. Wales later take on Liechtenstein in their Group J fixture in Cardiff, while Scotland play a friendly against Iceland as do the Republic of Ireland when they host Senegal. Ahead of all that on Friday morning, England under-21s coach Lee Carsley will name his squad for the upcoming European Championships in Slovakia.
