England women’s cricketer Kate Cross will retire from international cricket at the end of the 2026 season, bringing the curtain down on an 13-year international career.
The 34-year-old fast bowler made her England debut in October 2013 and went on to represent the country in all three formats. She played 102 international matches and claimed 140 wickets.
Cross made an immediate impact in Test cricket. On her Test debut against Australia in 2014, she took 3/35 in both innings, helping England secure an Ashes victory. It remains England’s most recent Ashes triumph.
The Lancashire cricketer also enjoyed a successful career across domestic formats. In 2024, she took more than 400 wickets across First-Class, List A and T20 cricket and was ranked the world’s second-best ODI bowler by the ICC.
In 2025, Cross became only the eighth England player to reach 100 ODI wickets. She also represented Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League during its inaugural 2024 season.
Announcing her retirement, Cross said she felt “nothing but pride and gratitude” while reflecting on her journey from junior cricket in Heywood to representing Lancashire and England.
She thanked her family, friends, teammates, coaches, support staff and fans for their backing throughout her career.
Cross will continue playing for Lancashire until the conclusion of the 2026 season before officially ending her playing career.
