England seamper Kate Cross has announced that she will retire from all forms of professional cricket at the end of the 2026 domestic season. This will bring an end to her 15-year-long international career where she made 102 appearances across all the formats. Cross lost her England contract last year, and since then, she has been playing domestic cricket. She was born in Lancashire and went on to join the county’s junior side at 13 years of age. 

Two years later, she became the first girl to get admission in the Lancashire Academy, before making her senior Lancashire debut in 2005. In 2011, she got her England call-up for the Ashes, but made her debut in 2013. She made her T20I debut against West Indies and later ODI debut on the same tour. On that tour, she finished with the figures of 4/51 in Barbados to end up with the Player of the Match award. 

Cross’ debut in the longest format came in 2014 Ashes where she picked up three wickets in each innings to help the side win the one-off Test. Her career-best international figures came against New Zealand in 2015 where she recorded 5/24. Her last T20I appearance came against Ireland in September 2024, whereas the last WODI appearance came against India in July 2025. Speaking of her last Test game, the 34-year-old played it against India at DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai in December 2023. 

The Final Chapter is in Sight: Kate Cross Announces her Retirement from Professional Cricket

Announcing her retirement from professional cricket, Cross shared an emotional statement. “This summer is going to be my last playing professional cricket,” Cross stated. “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,” she added. “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.”

Notably, Cross picked 25 wickets in the Tests, 101 in the 50-over format and 14 in the shortest.