Latest news with #SophieEcclestone
Telegraph
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Sophie Ecclestone: I considered quitting after Alex Hartley spat
Sophie Ecclestone has admitted she considered quitting cricket in the aftermath of the public spat involving Alex Hartley and the Ashes whitewash. In January, before the first T20 of the Women's Ashes, Ecclestone refused to be interviewed by her former team-mate Hartley, who later said on air she had been 'hung out to dry' by players who would not speak to her. In the wake of England's dismal T20 World Cup exit in October, Hartley said some members of the side were not up to the required fitness standards, and stood by her claims as the side performed badly throughout the 16-0 whitewash Down Under. 'It was a weird time,' Ecclestone told Sky Sports, speaking about the incident for the first time before taking the field for the final ODI of the series against India at Durham. 'I felt like I was taking my warm-up more seriously than doing interviews for a game. I feel like that went down [the] wrong way and a few things were said. I was just concentrating on cricket at that moment but a lot of things were being said which wasn't ideal.' Ecclestone disputed the claim that she refused to do the interview, saying: 'The word 'refuse' was being thrown around which wasn't really true.' Clare Connor, managing director of England Women's cricket, called it an 'unfortunate incident that won't happen again' during her press conference the morning after the series. When new head coach Charlotte Edwards and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt then took over from sacked coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight, Ecclestone took a break from cricket before the white-ball series against India to prioritise her mental health. 'During the West Indies series, I wasn't actually sure if I was going to come back and play cricket,' she said. 'It was a tough time. [I] feel like I have come out of the other side now, back playing cricket with the girls. I [have] got a smile on my face again and I feel like I wouldn't have done it without the girls. 'It wasn't very nice but we are all over that now. There were a lot of feelings involved and [it's time] to move on,' she explained. After the Ashes whitewash, Ecclestone went to the Women's Premier League where she suffered a torn meniscus, and was left out of the white-ball series against West Indies. Ecclestone returned to the national side for the India series, coming straight back into the starting XI and playing every match of the series, including taking three for 27 at Lord's.
BBC News
20 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Ecclestone considered quitting after Ashes criticism
Spinner Sophie Ecclestone says she considered quitting cricket following the criticism of her during England's Ashes defeat last one of the leading bowlers in the world, refused to do an interview during the defeat in Australia which led to questions over England's attitude and ability to handle 26, took a brief break from cricket earlier this year and was left out of England's white-ball series against West Indies at the start of the summer to manage an injury."During the West Indies series, I wasn't actually sure if I was going to come back and play cricket," Ecclestone, who has returned for the ongoing series against India, told Sky Sports."It was a tough time." The issue surrounding Ecclestone, which threatened to overshadow the Ashes, arose after the first T20 in spinner turned down a TV interview with former England spinner Alex Hartley who was in Australia working for the BBC radio team and other television networks. Hartley questioned the fitness levels of some of England's players last England's Ashes fate was confirmed, managing director of England women's cricket Clare Connor described the episode as "an unfortunate incident that won't happen again".Ecclestone first spoke about the subject to the BBC in May, when she said she had "moved on" and "learned from" the speaking prior to England's third one-day international against India in Chester-le-Street, Ecclestone disputed the fact she "refused" to do the interview, instead suggesting she wanted to focus on her warm-up."I feel like that went down a wrong way and a few things were said," she said."I was just concentrating on cricket at that moment but a lot of things were being said which wasn't ideal for me."Ecclestone said the incident "took a lot out of me" and led to people suggesting she is arrogant."That's not me as a person," she said. "It was hard to take at that time."Ecclestone returned to the England fold for the first T20 against India in June and has taken nine wickets in seven matches, including 3-27 on Saturday in the second ODI win at Lord's."I've got a smile on my face again and I feel like I wouldn't have done it without the girls," Ecclestone said."People like [team-mates] Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, and my family and friends, I couldn't have done without them."I definitely wouldn't be here and picking up wickets at Lord's if it wasn't for them."
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
England v India: series-deciding third women's cricket ODI
Update: Date: 2025-07-22T11:00:42.000Z Title: Preamble Content: You wait ages for a banger of a bilateral, then two turn up at once. Though England and India are two teams still seeking themselves, in the meantime, they are both fine teams, in the process of serving us a terrific series. It's easy to make a case for both to take it today, as it is for almost every player of the 22 to make the crucial contribution. We play sport partly to find out what's going to happen when we do, and anyone confidently predicting the outcome of this contest is bluffing. There are players in form – for England, Sophia Dunkley, Alice Davidson-Richards, Amy Jones and, of course, Sophie Ecclestone, with Sneh Rana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Smriti Mandhana at it for India. But there are also players who've yet to fully figure but rarely let a series go by without a major contribution – Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt for the hosts, Harmanpreet Kaur for the tourists. Any one of them could be definitive today, likewise someone we've not named – we just don't know, which is what makes this match so exciting. Likewise, the imminent World Cup: everything that happens today is building towards that, with players jockeying for position and units looking to cement themselves. For the teams, there's a series on the line, but the players are playing for their futures. This is going to be great. Play: 1pm BST
The Hindu
a day ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
ENG-W vs IND-W, 3rd ODI LIVE streaming info: Where to watch England v India women third match?
India Women and England Women will face off in the ODI series decider in the third match, which will take place at Riverside Ground in County Durham on Tuesday. An improved all-round effort saw the host level the series with an eight-wicket win at Lord's on Saturday. Sophie Ecclestone and Amy Jones were the two performers for England. Victory in the series would be a big boost for Harmanpreet Kaur's side ahead of this year's ODI World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. ENG-W vs IND-W 3rd ODI - match details When will the third ODI between England and India take place? The third ODI between England and India will take place at 5:30 PM IST on Tuesday, July 22. The toss for the match will take place at 5:00 PM IST. Where will the third ODI between England and India take place? The third ODI between England and India will be held at Riverside Ground in County Durham. Where to watch the live telecast of the third ODI between England and India in India? The third ODI between England and India will be televised live on the Sony Sports Network. Where to watch the livestream of the third ODI between England and India in India? The third ODI between England and India will be livestreamed on the SonyLiv app and website. The match will also be available to stream on FanCode.
Time Business News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time Business News
England Women Level ODI Series Against India at Lord's with Thrilling Win
In a rain-curtailed thriller at Lord's, the England Women's cricket team held their nerve to defeat India by five wickets, leveling the three-match ODI series 1–1. The game, reduced to 32 overs per side due to intermittent showers, saw disciplined bowling from England and a composed chase led by wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones. India, put into bat under overcast skies, struggled to gain momentum. Smriti Mandhana top-scored with 35, but the team managed only 143/8, thanks largely to a tight spell from Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with 3/27. England's bowling attack kept the run rate in check, with Kate Cross and Charlotte Dean also chipping in. The chase wasn't without drama. England lost quick wickets early, but Jones anchored the innings with an unbeaten 46. Her calm presence at the crease saw England home with just over two overs to spare. The match also saw controversy when Tammy Beaumont was involved in an 'obstructing the field' appeal after kicking a loose ball away, but the third umpire ruled in her favor. With the series now tied, all eyes turn to the decider at Chester-le-Street, Durham. The pitch there has historically favored spinners, and with form swinging back toward England, fantasy cricket fans are already scouting for top performers. For the final ODI, Dream11 prediction experts are tipping Amy Jones and Sophie Ecclestone as key picks based on current form. From the Indian side, Mandhana and Deepti Sharma remain vital fantasy choices, especially if the conditions suit spin. As both teams gear up for the finale, the contest is not just for pride but also a crucial preparation ground ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's Champions Trophy. For fans and fantasy players alike, this series promises high drama and high stakes. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
