Female pundit reveals why she was 'very grumpy' on BBC TMS

Former England cricketer Alex Hartley apologised to BBC Test Match Special listeners for being 'very grumpy' on Friday morning, as she discussed being on her period live on air. 

Discussing England's feeble chances of securing victory in the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, Hartley told commentator Daniel Norcross: '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.'

Norcross simply replied 'OK' before moving on to the cricket: 'Cummins is in, bouncer through to the keeper and there's no run there.'

He then jokingly said fellow TMS pundit Phil Tufnell 'equally grumpy', before Hartley added: 'We've all spent so much time together, maybe we've all synced up.'

Hartley, who has established herself as a leading expert on TMS since picking up the microphone in 2023, was at the centre of a row with England's women's team earlier this year when she called the team out for being unfit during their tour of Australia.

Her comments led to her being blocked from an interview with her former team-mate, Sophie Ecclestone.

Hartley said: '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. 

'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.'