Alex Hartley, the former England women’s cricketer, hilariously apologised to the listeners of BBC Test Match Special‘s Ashes 2025-26 coverage on Friday, December 19, for being ‘very grumpy’ a day earlier. Disclosing the reasons on air, Hartley said she had arrived for the coverage of Day 2 of the Adelaide Test ‘on my period’.
“I’m feeling more optimistic. I must admit, yesterday I was very grumpy. Disclaimer. I did come on my period, so I think that might explain it,” Hartley told co-commentator Daniel Norcross, while discussing the chances of England fighting their way back in the contest and keeping the five-Test series alive.
Norcoss didn’t divulge on the matter and simply responded “Okay” before going ahead with his duties as Australian spearhead
Pat Cummins ran into bowl at England’s surviving pair of captain Ben Stocks and Jofra Archer early on the morning of Day 3.
Wobble seams, tails wagging and coming on your period… it’s all in a day’s listening with Test Match Special. pic.twitter.com/lcwVLayZsX
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) December 19, 2025
Norcoss then quipped to Hartley that fellow TMS pundit Phil Tufnell was ‘equally grumpy’ over England’s struggles. To which Hartley responded, “We’ve all spent so much time together, maybe we’ve all synced up.”
Hartley’s stint at the BBC since joining them in 2023 has been quite rocky. Earlier in the year, the ex left-arm spinner raised eyebrows for calling the England women’s team unfit during their tour of Australia.
The comments miffed the visiting team management and led to Hartley being denied an interview with her former teammate and experienced bowler Sophie Ecclestone.
“I’ve been hung out to dry. The reason I said England aren’t as fit as Australia is because I want them to compete, I want them to be better and I want them to win,” said Hartley, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
“But I’ve been given the cold shoulder ever since – not by everyone but a few individuals, coaches and players. They haven’t looked at me.”
Despite Stokes (83) and Archer (51) stitching a valiant 106-run stand for the ninth wicket and giving England’s score some respectability, Australia snatched a lead of 85 runs. The Aussies then extended their lead to 356 at 4 down with Travis Head (142*) and Alex Carey (52*) standing unbeaten at the close of play.
