Lancashire and England bowler Kate Cross has announced she will retire from professional cricket at the end of this season.
The 34-year-old, who became the first woman to join Lancashire’s Academy in 2026, enjoyed a glittering career, making her senior county debut for Lancashire in 2005 at the age of 13.
During a 21-year spell with Lancashire, Cross took 239 wickets across all formats in both the Red Rose’s professional and non-professional teams.
The fast bowler would later make her England debut in October 2013 and won 102 international caps across all three formats, taking 140 wickets.
She was later named England captain for their white-ball tour of Ireland in 2024.
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Cross enjoyed a glittering career with both Lancashire and England
“Retiring hasn’t been an easy decision, but it feels like the right time,” Cross said.
“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.”
Only three months after making her international debut, Cross played a pivotal role in helping her side retain the Ashes during England’s tour of Australia in 2014.
The 34-year-old said it was “not an easy decision” to retire from professional cricket
Ten years later, Cross had established herself as the world’s second-best ODI bowler in the ICC rankings and would go on to pass 400 career wickets across First-Class, List A and T20 cricket.
“When I look back on my career, I feel nothing but pride and gratitude,” she 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.”
Cross is also only one of eight players to have taken 100 ODI wickets for England, completing the feat on her 100th appearance during England’s second ODI clash against West Indies in 2025. She also became the second-fastest English women’s player to achieve the feat.
Cross made her England debut in October 2013
That year, the fast bowler also helped guide Lancashire to Vitality T20 County Cup victory and The Hundred title with Sunrisers Leeds, formerly Northern Superchargers.
“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.”
Lancashire chair Dame Sarah Storey said: “Kate is a true Lancashire legend who has set the standard for those coming through and should be incredibly proud of the legacy she has created.
She took 140 wickets for England in 102 international appearances across all formats
“Achieving a double in her penultimate season as a pro is incredibly special and a rare feat across all sport, and Kate can be rightly proud of the mark she has left on Lancashire Cricket, both on and off the field.
“Everyone at the club is immensely proud of her achievements, and we wish her every success and happiness for the next chapter.”
