\n<\/p>\n
Defeat on Monday was England’s fourth from four games in Australia, meaning they surrendered the Ashes at the earliest opportunity.<\/p>\n
England again dropped catches, as they did in being knocked out of last year’s T20 World Cup at the hands of West Indies.<\/p>\n
Following that exit, Hartley said: “About 80% of the England team are fit and athletic enough, but there are girls in that side who are letting the team down when it comes to fitness.”<\/p>\n
Coach Jon Lewis responded by saying he did not believe that criticism was fair, adding that “our players are very fit”.<\/p>\n
“I’m surprised that people would say that, actually,” he said. “Fitness was absolutely nothing to do with us losing that game.”<\/p>\n
“Clearly I have upset them,” Hartley, who was England’s second-highest wicket-taker in their successful 2017 World Cup campaign, said on Monday.<\/p>\n
“Jon Lewis has said there isn’t a problem with fitness in his squad. They think I am wrong, which is fine – I’m entitled to my opinions and they are entitled to theirs. <\/p>\n
“It is my job to say something that needs to be better and I did. The way I have been treated since I think has been totally unfair.”<\/p>\n
The England and Wales Cricket Board was contacted by the BBC but did not wish to give a response.<\/p>\n
Hartley wrote on X on Tuesday: “To be clear, there are some members of the England team who have been really disappointing, but by no means all.<\/p>\n
“For some, friendships remain unchanged. For others, I’ve been shocked and surprised by their response.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n