Kate Cross

Kathryn Laura Cross, born on 3 October 1991 in Manchester, is an English international cricketer known for her right-arm medium-fast bowling and right-handed batting. She was the first woman accepted into Lancashire's cricket academy in 2006 and made her England senior debut in 2013 during the tour of the West Indies. Cross quickly made an impact, earning Player of the Match honors with a four-wicket haul in her second ODI. She has played domestically for Lancashire, North West Thunder, Northern Superchargers, and Royal Challengers Bangalore, as well as in Australia for Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers. Cross was part of England’s victorious 2014 Women’s Ashes tour and has since been a regular in the national squad across formats, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.

Throughout her career, Cross has achieved several milestones, including becoming the first woman to play in the Central Lancashire League and captaining the Manchester Originals in The Hundred, where she hit the first six in the competition’s history. She received a professional contract from the ECB in 2014 and was awarded the ESPNcricinfo Women’s Bowling Performance Award in 2022 for her outstanding bowling against India. In September 2024, she captained England for the first time in an ODI, taking career-best figures of 6/30 and leading her team to victory. Beyond playing, Cross co-hosts the popular 'No Balls: The Cricket Podcast' with Alex Hartley and serves as a cricket commentator. She continues to be a key figure in England’s squads for major tours and tournaments, including the 2025 Women’s Ashes in Australia.