Cricket commentator Isa Guha hits back with a heartfelt message after Premier League football star trashed female pundits in shocking sexist rant

England international cricket star turned highly rated commentator Isa Guha has delivered a classy response to former Premier League star Joey Barton after he said women should not talk about men's football.

The hugely controversial ex-Manchester City player launched a misogynistic tirade on social media on December 6, first writing: 'Women should not be speaking with any form of authority in the men's game. Come on. Let's be serious.

'It's a completely different game. If you don't accept that. We will always see things differently.

“The women's game is flourishing. Fantastic to see. I can't take anything they say seriously in the men's arena #namaste.”

Former Manchester City star Joey Barton (pictured) caused a storm when he said women 'shouldn't speak to any authority' about men's football

Guha hit back in a heartfelt Instagram post (photo) in which she reflected on camera about the criticism she faced early in her career

Just seven minutes later, he added: “Any man who listens to women's commentary or co-comms needs to test his mind… #sticktoyourowngame.”

Guha returned in style in an Instagram post on Tuesday, in a post accompanied by photos of her with some of the cricket legends she has worked with while covering matches, including Adam Gilchrist, Michael Vaughan and Wasim Akram.

“I've been thinking lately how grateful I am to be able to cover sports, because I don't think it's always been feasible,” she wrote.

'I am aware of recent comments in the UK that women should not be involved in men's sports, and of people expressing differing views on this.

'When I first started I was quite green and I remember the reactions back then. But my bosses supported me against the noise and when I made a lot of mistakes. That's why I wanted to repay them by learning as much and as quickly as possible.'

The 38-year-old won two World Cups while playing for England and quickly impressed fans with her insightful commentary after picking up a microphone in 2011.

Guha further said that 'representation matters' in sports and cricket has 'taken the lead' when it comes to women's voices, adding that her colleagues have always supported her.

“While there will always be exceptions, I have always felt that it is more important to recognize those who raise us than those who do not,” she continued.

“My view is that women can work on men's sports just as men can work on women's sports as experts/presenters/commentators, but either way let's give people exactly the same patience and support to learn and thrive.”

The 38-year-old Guha won two World Cups with England as a player, but never aspired to become a commentator before she started her career in front of the cameras in 2011.

Guha (pictured with co-commentator Adam Gilchrist) has done so well in her new career that she was even given the job of presenting the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon

She has since built a reputation as one of the most impressive cricket experts in the world and was even recruited this year to present the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon.

The former fast-medium bowler, who holds a PhD in neuroscience, quickly won the admiration of Australian fans when she provided insightful commentary for Fox Sports during the summers down under.

She has previously revealed that Shane Warne helped her immensely as she learned the ropes in her new career after finishing as an international player 12 years ago.

“He really supported me through my journey as a commentator and as a presenter and I will never, ever forget that,” she said shortly after the all-time great's shocking death in March last year.