England Pacer Kate Cross To Retire From Professional Cricket At The End Of 2026 Season

England pacer Kate Cross to retire from professional cricket at the end of 2026 season (Image Source: IANS)

Lancashire Chair Dame Sarah Storey: Veteran England fast bowler Kate Cross has announced that she will retire from all professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season, and bring the curtains down on an illustrious career spanning over two decades.

Kate, 34, who made her international debut in 2013 and earned 102 caps for England across all three formats while taking 140 wickets. "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. 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 all possible," wrote Kate in a statement on her social media accounts on Friday.

Starting her journey at Heywood Cricket Club, Kate made her senior county debut for Lancashire at just 13 in 2005 and became the first female player to enter the Lancashire Academy a year later. She went on to take 239 wickets for Lancashire across all formats and regional setups, including Thunder and Lancashire Thunder in the Kia Super League.

A key highlight of her international career came on her Test debut in Perth in early 2014, where her match figures of 6-70 helped England retain the Ashes in Australia. Later that year, she was among the initial 18 players awarded groundbreaking central contracts by the ECB.

In 2024, Cross reached the milestone of 400 career wickets across First-Class, List A, and T20 cricket, and reached a career-high ranking of world number two in the ICC ODI bowling rankings before leading England as captain during their white-ball tour of Ireland.

Kate added another feather to her cap in 2025 by becoming only the eighth bowler to claim 100 ODI wickets for England while helping Lancashire secure a domestic double - the Vitality T20 County Cup and Metro Bank One-Day Cup - alongside winning The Hundred title with the Northern Superchargers.

Lancashire Chair Dame Sarah Storey said, “Kate has made an incredible contribution to both Lancashire and England Women over the last two decades and, on behalf of everyone at the Club, I'd like to congratulate her on an outstanding career.

“It is difficult to put into words the impact Kate has had on the women's game in Lancashire. From making her senior county debut at just 13 to becoming an England international, she has been an outstanding player and an exceptional role model, inspiring generations of young players across the North West.

“I know how much it has meant to Kate to represent the Red Rose for so many years, as well as wearing the Three Lions. She has also remained incredibly connected to the recreational game, particularly through her relationship with Heywood Cricket Club and her work with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.

“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. 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.”

David Thorley, Director of Women’s Cricket at Lancashire, commented, “On behalf of our playing group and staff, I would like to thank Kate for her commitment and unwavering dedication to the Club.

“Kate has played such an important role in driving the day-to-day standards here at Lancashire Cricket. She has been an integral part of the dressing room culture and has consistently set an example through her professionalism, work ethic and commitment to the team. She will undoubtedly be a huge loss to us, both on and off the field.

David Thorley, Director of Women’s Cricket at Lancashire, commented, “On behalf of our playing group and staff, I would like to thank Kate for her commitment and unwavering dedication to the Club.

“Congratulations to Kate on an incredible career. We wish her all the very best for life after professional cricket and hope she looks back on her time at Lancashire with immense pride.”

Article Source: IANS