England cricketers embroiled in awkward Twitter spat

Englands men's and women's national cricket stars have become embroiled in an ugly online Twitter spat.

Following England's crushing two-day defeat to India in the Ahmedabad Test, Alexandra Hartley took to Twitter to advertise that the women's side were kitting up for their 2nd ODI match against New Zealand.

But it's the manner in which she did it that has caused a stir with her male compatriots, tweeting: "Nice of the England boys to get this test match finished just before England Women play tonight" with the clapping emojis before adding "Catch them on @btsportcricket."

It prompted a quick retort from Rory Burns who hit back: "Very disappointing attitude considering all the boys do to support the Women's game."

James Anderson and Ben Stokes had also liked Burns' tweet before it was deleted.

Ben Duckett was also unimpressed with Hartley's message and is yet to take down his post, branding it an "average tweet" while adding "don't think any of the men's team would be 'clapping emojis' if the women lost."

England were dismissed for 112 in their first innings and 81 in their second, India scored 145 in their first innings making the target for their second dig without raising a sweat.

Spinners were dominant, claiming 28 of the 30 wickets that fell on the unpredictable track.

The result means England is out of contention for the World Test Championship final, with India needing a win or draw in the fourth and final Test to book their meeting with New Zealand at Lord's in June.

England captain Joe Root, who claimed career-best figures of 5/8 in 6.2 overs, said that the surface was "very challenging, very difficult" and that it was up to the International Cricket Council, not the players, to decide whether it was "fit for purpose".