Kate Cross to retire at end of season

Key Highlights

• RelatedCross struggling to get her head around 'savage' World Cup snubKate Cross questions future after losing England contractCross signs new Lancashire contractCross shoulder scare overshadows Sunrisers win"When I look back on my career, I feel nothing but pride and gratitude," Cross said.
• Kate Cross, the former England seamer, has announced that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the current season.
• She retires having been capped 102 times across formats for her country, most recently in 2025, and after a 21-year career with Lancashire, whom she first represented aged 13.
• She was the first woman to join Lancashire's academy and has taken 239 wickets for the county, helping them to win a white-ball double in 2025.
• David Thorley, Lancashire's director of women's cricket, said: "On behalf of our playing group and staff, I would like to thank Kate for her commitment and unwavering dedication to the club.

Kate Cross, the former England seamer, has announced that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the current season.

She retires having been capped 102 times across formats for her country, most recently in 2025, and after a 21-year career with Lancashire, whom she first represented aged 13.

RelatedCross struggling to get her head around 'savage' World Cup snubKate Cross questions future after losing England contractCross signs new Lancashire contractCross shoulder scare overshadows Sunrisers win"When I look back on my career, I feel nothing but pride and gratitude," Cross said.

"To go from playing junior cricket at Heywood to pulling on a Lancashire shirt, and then an England shirt, has been beyond anything I dreamed of as a kid.

"I want to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support throughout my career, and every team-mate, past and present, who I've shared a dressing room with.

I've certainly had plenty of highs and lows throughout my career and they've always been there for me.

Thank you to the coaches and backroom staff who have worked with me and helped me improve every step of the way, and to the Lancashire and England supporters who have got behind me and the team throughout my career.

"Lancashire has been a constant throughout my career, and I'll always be incredibly proud to have represented the Red Rose.

Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground has been my second home, and I'm proud to have been part of the growth of the women's game in recent years.

"Winning two trophies with Lancashire in 2025 was really special and will always be one of the highlights of my career.

To do that in a Lancashire shirt, having been part of the club for so many years, meant a huge amount to me.

"Retiring hasn't been an easy decision, but it feels like the right time.

I'm excited to see what comes next, and I hope to stay involved in the game I love.

Before that though, I look forward to playing out the rest of the season with Lancashire as we look to challenge for more silverware.

"Cross made her England debut on the tour of the Caribbean in 2013 and produced one of her most-memorable performances that winter's Ashes.

She was the first woman to join Lancashire's academy and has taken 239 wickets for the county, helping them to win a white-ball double in 2025. Cross also collected a Hundred winner's medal last year, having crossed the Pennines to play at Headingley for Northern Superchargers.

Although her England opportunities began to dry up, culminating in the painful omission from the squad for the 2025 ODI World Cup, she had already begun a move into media work through commentary and the highly regarded No Balls podcast, alongside former England team-mate Alex Hartley.

Originally reported by ESPN Cricinfo. TechVeb news desk.