Kate Cross to retire from professional cricket at the end of summer
Kate Cross (Source: X/@englandcricket)
Published - 21 Aug 2026, 06:19 PM• Read time - 2 mins
England seamer Kate Cross is all set to retire from professional cricket at the end of the summer. The 34-year-old has played 102 matches for England since making her debut in October 2013 in a T20I. She has been playing domestic cricket since losing her England contract last year.
Cross last played for the country in July 2025 during an ODI against India in Southampton. The right-arm seamer has played eight Tests, 76 ODIs and 18 T20Is, scalping 140 wickets in total.
Commenting on her decision, Cross said that she could never imagine saying goodbye to the sport and called herself fortunate to play it at the highest level.
"It is 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. 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 said in her Instagram post, while announcing her retirement.
Kate Cross's best ODI figures came in 2024, when she claimed 6/30, tearing through Ireland’s batting line-up. She also had a terrific Test debut in 2014, taking 6/70 across two innings in Perth to help England secure their last Ashes victory in Australia.
Cross to finish career with Lancashire
Cross fell out of favour following a difficult run across formats and watched England’s historic 2017 World Cup triumph at Lord’s from the stands.
She eventually fought her way back into the side and became a regular in England’s Test and ODI teams, before getting dropped by new head coach Charlotte Edwards last summer.
Cross, who played for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred final last weekend, is set to play the remainder of the season with Lancashire, including their clash against The Blaze in Nottingham on Sunday.