Kate Cross

{{for-multi|the American social leader|Kate Smeed Cross|the author|Kate Locke}}

{{Infobox cricketer

| name = Kate Cross

| image = Kate Cross(Cropped).jpg

| caption =

| female = true

| country = England

| fullname = Kathryn Laura Cross

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|10|03|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Manchester, England

| nickname = Crossy

| batting = Right-handed

| bowling = Right-arm medium-fast

| role = Bowler

| international = true

| internationalspan = 2013–present

| testdebutdate = 10 January

| testdebutyear = 2014

| testdebutagainst = Australia

| testcap = 152

| lasttestdate = 14 December

| lasttestyear = 2023

| lasttestagainst = India

| odidebutdate = 29 October

| odidebutyear = 2013

| odidebutagainst = West Indies

| odicap = 124

| lastodidate = 7 September

| lastodiyear = 2024

| lastodiagainst = Ireland

| odishirt = 16

| T20Idebutdate = 24 October

| T20Idebutyear = 2013

| T20Idebutagainst = West Indies

| T20Icap = 36

| lastT20Idate = 15 September

| lastT20Iyear = 2024

| lastT20Iagainst = Ireland

| T20Ishirt =

| club1 = Lancashire

| year1 = 2005–present

| club2 = Brisbane Heat

| year2 = 2015/16

| club3 = Lancashire Thunder

| year3 = 2016–2019

| club4 = Western Australia

| year4 = {{nowrap|2017/18–2018/19}}

| club5 = Perth Scorchers

| year5 = 2018/19

| club6 = North West Thunder

| year6 = 2020–present

| club7 = Manchester Originals

| year7 = 2021–2022

| club8 = Velocity

| year8 = 2022

| club9 = Northern Superchargers

| year9 = {{nowrap|2023–present}}

| club10= Royal Challengers Bangalore

| year10=

| columns = 3

| column1 = WTest

| matches1 = 8

| runs1 = 58

| bat avg1 = 6.44

| 100s/50s1 = 0/0

| top score1 = 16

| deliveries1 = 1,464

| wickets1 = 25

| bowl avg1 = 30.72

| fivefor1 = 0

| tenfor1 = 0

| best bowling1 = 4/63

| catches/stumpings1 = 2/–

| column2 = WODI

| matches2 = 68

| runs2 = 260

| bat avg2 = 13.00

| 100s/50s2 = 0/0

| top score2 = 38*

| deliveries2 = 3,121

| wickets2 = 95

| bowl avg2 = 24.01

| fivefor2 = 3

| tenfor2 = 0

| best bowling2 = 6/30

| catches/stumpings2 = 15/–

| column3 = WT20I

| matches3 = 16

| runs3 = 3

| bat avg3 = 3.00

| 100s/50s3 = 0/0

| top score3 = 2

| deliveries3 = 308

| wickets3 = 11

| bowl avg3 = 33.72

| fivefor3 = 0

| tenfor3 = 0

| best bowling3 = 2/18

| catches/stumpings3 = 4/–

| date = 7 September

| year = 2024

|source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/297085.html Cricinfo

}}

Kathryn Laura Cross (born 3 October 1991) is an English international cricketer.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/297085.html |title=Kate Cross. Cricket Players and Officials |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date= |access-date=2014-05-08}} She also co-hosts a podcast with Alex Hartley named "No Balls: The Cricket Podcast".{{cite web|url=https://noballs.podbean.com/|access-date=11 October 2020|date=4 October 2020|title=No Balls:The Cricket Podcast}}

Career

Cross has played domestic cricket for a number of teams including Lancashire, North West Thunder, Northern Superchargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

A right-arm medium fast bowler and right-handed batter, she was the first woman to be accepted into Lancashire's cricket academy in 2006 and won the Eversheds Most Promising Young Cricketer award in September 2007. She made her debut for the England Under-21 side in 2007. In October 2013 she was called up into the England senior squad to tour the West Indies. She made her T20 debut against the West Indies and in November 2013 made her One Day International debut, also against the West Indies. In her second game of the series (the first was washed out) she took 4 for 51 against the West Indies, a performance which earned her the Player of the Match Award. England won the final two games of a three match series and became the first team to win a series against the West Indies in the Caribbean.

In January 2010 she was called up to join the 2010/11 England Women tour of Australia after injuries to Beth Morgan and Claire Taylor.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/women/content/story/496340.html |title=Kate Cross called up for England. Women's Cricket Cricket News |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date= |access-date=2014-05-08}}

In January 2014, she was selected for the Women's Ashes Tour of Australia, during which she played in 6 matches of the 7 match series. In her debut Test Match at the WACA in Perth, Cross had match figures of 32 overs, 6 wickets for 70 runs in a game that England won by 61 runs; having taken 3 for 35 in both Australian innings. England went on to win the series and retain the Ashes by a margin of 10 points to 8.

In April 2014, she was one of the 18 women to be awarded the first professional contracts by the ECB.{{cite web

|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/27291212|publisher=BBC|date=20 April 2015|access-date=6 May 2014

|title=England women earn 18 new central contracts

}} In April 2015, she became the first woman to play in the Central Lancashire League, taking 3–19 in a game for Heywood, playing Clifton.{{cite web

|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32383189|publisher=BBC|date=20 April 2015|access-date=20 April 2015

|title=Kate Cross: England bowler makes Central Lancashire League history}} Later in the season, again playing for Heywood, she took 8–47 against Unsworth.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/32684421|title=BBC Sport - Kate Cross takes eight wickets in Lancashire men's league match|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 June 2015}}

In July 2015, she was signed by the Brisbane Heat for the inaugural Women's Big Bash as one of their two overseas players.{{cite web|last=Dorries|first=Ben|date=28 July 2015|url=https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/cricket/brisbane-heat-snares-english-pace-duo-kate-cross-and-lauren-winfield/news-story/5691c8c3d5b9f85581dff9fccca2e391?nk=9379f289440dff1d5746eddbc2277949-1548553061|title=Brisbane Heat snares English pace duo Kate Cross and Lauren Winfield|work=The Courier-Mail}}

File:2018–19 WBBL PS v ST 18-12-29 Cross (01).jpg

In November 2018, she was named in the Perth Scorchers' squad for the 2018–19 Women's Big Bash League season.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/wbbl-04-all-you-need-to-know-guide-tv-schedule-squads-when-fantasy-best-players/2018-11-30 |title=WBBL04: All you need to know guide |work=Cricket Australia |access-date=30 November 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25412608/the-full-squads-wbbl |title=The full squads for the WBBL |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=30 November 2018}}

In February 2019, she was awarded a full central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for 2019.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25936437/freya-davies-awarded-england-women-contract-ahead-india-tour |title=Freya Davies awarded England Women contract ahead of India tour |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=6 February 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1048682 |title=Freya Davies 'thrilled' at new full central England contract |work=International Cricket Council |access-date=6 February 2019}} In June 2019, the ECB named her in England's squad for their opening match against Australia to contest the Women's Ashes.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27082746/fran-wilson-called-england-squad-ashes-odi-opener-australia |title=Fran Wilson called into England squad for Ashes ODI opener against Australia |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=29 June 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timesandstar.co.uk/sport/national/17738993.england-announce-squad-for-opening-womens-ashes-odi/ |title=England announce squad for opening Women's Ashes ODI |work=Times and Star |access-date=29 June 2019}} In January 2020, she was named in England's squad for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/women/news/1573896/england-women-announce-t20-world-cup-squad-and-summer-fixtures |title=England Women announce T20 World Cup squad and summer fixtures |work=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=17 January 2020}}

On 18 June 2020, Cross was named in a squad of 24 players to begin training ahead of international women's fixtures starting in England following the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/england/women/news/1685005/england-women-confirm-back-to-training-plans |title=England Women confirm back to training plans |work=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=18 June 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/29327435/england-women-return-training-september-tri-series-cards |title=England Women return to training with September tri-series on the cards |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 June 2020}}

In December 2020, Cross was announced as one of the commentators to feature on Talksport's commentary for England men's 2nd ODI against South Africa.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Cricket_TS/status/1335328090789036033|website=Twitter|access-date=15 December 2020| date=5 December 2020|title= talkSPORT Cricket on Twitter}} The series was abandoned before the match could take place due to a COVID-19 outbreak.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55209140|date=7 December 2020|access-date=15 December 2020|website=BBC Sport|title=South Africa v England: ODI series called off after Covid-19 tests}}

In January 2021, Cross was announced as part of the squad{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/55644491|title= England women recall Tash Farrant for New Zealand tour|website=BBC Sport|date=14 January 2021|access-date=21 February 2021}} who travelled to New Zealand for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.{{cite web|work=ESPNcricinfo|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-women-in-new-zealand-2020-21-1249221/match-schedule-fixtures|access-date=21 February 2021|title=England Women tour of New Zealand}} In June 2021, Cross was named as in England's Test squad for their one-off match against India.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/2167865/emily-arlott-earns-call-up-to-england-women-test-squad |title=Emily Arlott earns call-up to England Women Test squad |work=England and Wales Cricket Board |access-date=9 June 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.womenscriczone.com/england-announce-17-member-squad-for-test-against-india |title=Emily Arlott earns maiden call-up as England announce squad for India Test |work=Women's CricZone |access-date=9 June 2021}}

In July 2021, Cross made her debut for the Manchester Originals as captain of the Hundred team. During the loss, she made history by hitting the first 6 in hundred ball cricket.{{cite web |last1=Burley |first1=Oli |title=Oval Invincibles earn thrilling win over Manchester Originals in historic opening match |url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/12360742/the-hundred-oval-invincibles-earn-thrilling-win-over-manchester-originals-in-historic-opening-match |website=Sky Sports |access-date=19 June 2024 |date=22 July 2021}} She was the leading wicket taker for Manchester Originals with 12 wickets.{{Cite web |title=The Hundred Women's Competition, 2021 - Manchester Originals (Women) Cricket Team Records & Stats |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=13891&team=6692&type=tournament |access-date=2022-03-09 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}

In December 2021, Cross was named in England's squad for their tour to Australia to contest the Women's Ashes.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/heather-knight-vows-to-fight-fire-with-fire-during-womens-ashes-1293638 |title=Heather Knight vows to 'fight fire with fire' during Women's Ashes |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=17 December 2021}} In February 2022, she was named in England's team for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/womens-odi-world-cup-2022-charlie-dean-emma-lamb-in-englands-odi-world-cup-squad-1300522 |title=Charlie Dean, Emma Lamb in England's ODI World Cup squad |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 February 2022}}

In February 2022, Cross was awarded the ESPNcricinfo Women's Bowling Performance Award for 2021, for her 5/34 taken against India.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/espncricinfo-awards-2021-rishabh-pant-shaheen-afridi-kate-cross-and-kane-williamson-win-1297646 |title=Rishabh Pant, Shaheen Afridi, Kate Cross and Kane Williamson win ESPNcricinfo awards for 2021 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=10 February 2022}} In April 2022, she was bought by the Manchester Originals for the 2022 season of The Hundred.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/60477088 |title=The Hundred 2022: latest squads as Draft picks revealed |work=BBC Sport |access-date=5 April 2022}} In July 2022, she was named in England's team for the cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/alice-capsey-named-in-england-s-commonwealth-games-squad-tammy-beaumont-omitted-1324921 |title=Alice Capsey named in England's Commonwealth Games squad, Tammy Beaumont omitted |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=15 July 2022}}

Cross captained England for the first time in an ODI against Ireland at Stormont in Belfast on 7 September 2024, marking the occasion by taking career best bowling figures of 6/30 and scoring 38 not out with the bat to lead her team to a four-wicket victory in the first contest of a three-match series.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/cz6xz0q6793o|title=Cross leads youthful England to win over Ireland|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=8 September 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/13211027/kate-cross-stars-with-bat-and-ball-as-england-beat-ireland-by-four-wickets-in-odi-series-opener|title=Cross stars as England survive scare to beat Ireland in ODI opener|publisher=Sky Sports|accessdate=8 September 2024}}

She was named in England's squad for their multi-format tour to South Africa in November 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/clygdlp338po|title=Uncapped Bouchier and Kemp in England Test squad|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=9 November 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/england-drop-alice-capsey-for-south-africa-t20is-include-two-uncapped-players-for-test|title=England drop Alice Capsey for South Africa T20Is, include two uncapped players for Test match|publisher=Wisden|accessdate=9 November 2024}}

Cross was named in the England squad for the 2025 Women's Ashes series in Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/4190158/england-women-name-squads-for-2025-womens-ashes|title=England Women name squads for 2025 Women’s Ashes|publisher=England and Wales Cricket Board|accessdate=25 December 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/articles/c4gleywzv9ro|title=Cross back as England name Women's Ashes squad|publisher=BBC Sport|accessdate=25 December 2024}}

Personal life

Cross's father David was a professional footballer between 1969 and 1987, most notably for West Ham United, where he won the FA Cup in 1980. Her mother, Christine is a lawyer who specialises in matrimonial law.{{Cite web | title = Kathryn makes cricket history | work = Lancashire Telegraph | date = 15 November 2006 | access-date = 5 March 2018 | url = http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/1022947.kathryn_makes_cricket_history/}} Her brother, Robert, played cricket for the Lancashire second XI and is a lawyer. He was also general manager of Lancashire Thunder and Chairman of the Lancashire County Cricket Club Federation.{{cite web |url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/44/44892/all_teams.html |title=Teams played for by Robert Cross |publisher=CricketArchive |access-date=17 September 2009}} Her sister Jenny also worked for Lancashire Thunder as a physiotherapist.{{cite web |title=Kate Cross: England bowler 'didn't know her purpose' during anxiety struggles |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/45212984 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=21 August 2018 |date=16 August 2018}}

Cross achieved a 2.1 in her degree in psychology from Leeds University in 2013. She graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2023 with a master's degree in sports directorship.{{cite web |last1=Harman |first1=Jo |title=David and Kate Cross: the dad and daughter who won FA Cup and Ashes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/nov/10/david-kate-cross-family-won-fa-cup-ashes-west-ham-football-cricket |website=The Guardian |access-date=24 November 2023 |date=10 November 2023}} Her nickname is "Crossy".{{cite web |last1=Balding |first1=Clare |authorlink1=Clare Balding |title=Balding bowled over by England's women cricketers |url=http://sport.bt.com/more-sport-hub/women-in-sport/balding-bowled-over-by-englands-women-cricketers-S11363962970753 |website=BT Sport |access-date=23 July 2020 |date=19 February 2015 |archive-date=23 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723150249/http://sport.bt.com/more-sport-hub/women-in-sport/balding-bowled-over-by-englands-women-cricketers-S11363962970753 |url-status=dead }}

References

External links

{{ESPNcricinfo}}
{{CricketArchive|archive=20221017051657}}
{{Team England|kate-cross}}
{{Twitter}}
[https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nrsl2/episodes/player No Balls - The Cricket Podcast] on BBC Test Match Special
Earlier episodes: [https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/no-balls-the-cricket-podcast/id1490769536 No Balls - The Cricket Podcast] on Apple Podcasts and {{SoundCloud|user-188777212|No Balls - The Cricket Podcast}}