Last Updated on 11 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey
Alex Hartley has criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board for announcing Brendon McCullum’s sacking as men’s Test coach during the England-India Women’s Test at Lord’s.
The news came through during day three of the match. Hartley lamented the fact that the big announcement could overshadow the historic event that is the first-ever Women’s Test at the iconic venue.
Alex Hartley says the ECB should’ve waited until Monday night or Tuesday morning to announce the Brendon McCullum news
Speaking on the BBC Test Match Special, Hartley said that the announcement is an act of disrespect towards women’s cricket.
“It just doesn’t make sense, wait till Tuesday” she said. “This game is done in the fact that England aren’t going to win this Test match, but there’s a Test match to save. It’s historic. It’s a historic moment within itself.
“There’s an ODI series starting Tuesday (against India). I completely understand that they want to get the news out before then, but I’m sorry, [this Test is] something more important for me and women’s cricket.
“If you say you respect the game and you want the game to improve, then don’t just pay it lip service; actually prove it and say, ‘We’ll hang on to this news until Tuesday morning or 7 o’clock on Monday night.”
India are on course for a big win in the Lord’s Test. England will begin day four at 130/6, still needing an improbable 357 to win. Kranti Gaud (5/37), Yastika Bhatia (113) and Sophie Ecclestone (5/118) have their names on the Lord’s honours board for their performances.
