England fast bowler Kate Cross has announced that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the ongoing 2026 season.
The 34-year-old Lancashire seamer confirmed the decision through her social media accounts, bringing the curtain down on a professional career that has spanned more than a decade.
Cross Confirms Retirement
Sharing a childhood photograph alongside one from her England career, Cross reflected on her journey in the game.
“This summer is going to be my last playing professional cricket. It’s incredibly hard to imagine ever saying goodbye to playing the sport that has been such a huge part of my life and shaped me into the person I am today. But, the final chapter is in sight.”
She also expressed gratitude to everyone who had supported her throughout her career.
“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. But I’m even more fortunate to have met the people I have along the way. I have memories that will last a lifetime which I’ll forever be thankful for.”
“I’m so grateful for the journey I have had in cricket and although I have a few more games to play and so many things I would like to say, for now I’d just like to thank each and every one of you who has supported me and made it possible. Crossy x”
International Career
Cross made her England debut in October 2013 and represented her country in 102 international matches across all three formats.
Her international record includes:
- Tests: 8 matches, 25 wickets
- ODIs: 76 matches, 101 wickets
- T20Is: 18 matches, 14 wickets
Overall, she claimed 140 international wickets during her England career.
Her most recent appearance for England came in July 2025 in an ODI against India at Southampton.
Domestic and Franchise Cricket
Alongside her international career, Cross featured in several domestic and franchise competitions, including the Women’s Hundred and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Most recently, she represented Sunrisers Leeds in the 2026 Women’s Hundred, where the team finished as runners-up. She took four wickets in nine appearances during the campaign.
Cross is currently playing for Lancashire Women in the ongoing ECB Women’s One-Day Cup. She has taken 18 wickets in 11 matches this season, with Lancashire’s next fixture scheduled against Hampshire on August 26.
Her retirement will mark the end of a distinguished professional career in which she established herself as one of England’s most experienced seam bowlers across international and domestic cricket.
