ENGLAND, UK — England fast bowler Kate Cross has announced that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the English summer, bringing an end to a 15-year international career spanning 102 appearances across Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
- Kate Cross will retire from professional cricket at the end of the English summer.
- The 34-year-old finished her England career with 101 ODI wickets from 76 matches.
- Cross also claimed 25 Test wickets and 14 T20I wickets for England.
- She will spend the remainder of the summer playing for Lancashire before retiring.
Kate Cross confirms retirement after 15-year England career
Cross, 34, announced her decision in an Instagram post, describing the upcoming season as the final chapter of a playing career that has taken her from Lancashire cricket to the international stage and major domestic competitions overseas.
“This summer is going to be my last playing professional cricket,” Cross wrote.
The fast bowler has not represented England since losing her ECB central contract in September last year. Her international career nevertheless produced 102 appearances, including 76 ODIs, eight Tests and 18 T20Is.
Cross leaves England career with 140 international wickets
Cross took 101 wickets in women’s ODIs, making the format the most productive part of her England career. She added 25 wickets in Test cricket and 14 in T20Is.
Her international breakthrough came after she was selected for England’s Ashes squad in 2011. She eventually made her international debut in 2013 during the tour of the West Indies, where she claimed 4/51 in Barbados on her ODI debut and was named Player of the Match.
Test debut came during 2014 Ashes
Cross made her Test debut during the 2014 Ashes in Perth. She immediately contributed with the ball, taking three wickets in each innings as England won the one-off Test.
The following year brought one of her strongest international performances when she recorded career-best figures of 5/24 against New Zealand in Lincoln.
From Lancashire to global domestic cricket
Cross’s connection with Lancashire began long before her England career. Born in Lancashire, she joined the county’s junior side at 13 and became the first girl admitted to the Lancashire Academy two years later.
She made her senior Lancashire debut in 2005 and remained associated with the county throughout her career. Her domestic journey also included Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat and the Lancashire Thunder set-up from the beginning of the women’s competition.
Cross received an ECB central contract in 2019 and later captained Manchester Originals in The Hundred, adding leadership responsibilities to an already extensive domestic career.
Cross returns to Lancashire for final summer
Cross recently returned to domestic cricket with Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred. She will now represent Lancashire for the remainder of the English summer before bringing her professional playing career to a close.
“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to play the game I love professionally and get to do it at the highest level,” Cross wrote.
Reflecting on her career, Cross also highlighted the people she encountered throughout her journey and the lasting memories created through professional cricket.
Kate Cross career statistics
| Format | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Tests | 8 | 25 |
| ODIs | 76 | 101 |
| T20Is | 18 | 14 |
| Total | 102 | 140 |
What happens next for Kate Cross
Cross will remain involved on the field through the remainder of the English summer with Lancashire. Her retirement will then close a career that began with county cricket as a teenager and developed into more than a decade of international representation for England.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Kate Cross retire from professional cricket?
Kate Cross has said that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the English summer, after completing her remaining domestic commitments with Lancashire.
How many international wickets did Kate Cross take for England?
Cross took 140 international wickets for England: 25 in eight Tests, 101 in 76 ODIs and 14 in 18 T20Is.
Kate Cross brings an influential England career to a close
After 15 years at international level, Cross is preparing for her final stretch as a professional player. Her career has covered county cricket, England’s three international formats and major domestic competitions, with Lancashire remaining a constant presence throughout her journey.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
