Ex-England seamer Kate Cross signs new deal with Lancashire

Former England seamer Kate Cross has signed a new one-year contract with Lancashire Women but admitted she considered retiring over the winter.

Cross lost her central contract with the national team in September 2025, but has decided to continue playing, extending her 21-year association with the Red Rose.

"Given the way my England contract ended, there was a question mark over whether I would carry on playing", the 34-year-old told Lancashire's club website., external

"But once I decided to continue, it was an easy choice to do it here at Old Trafford.

"I'm very pleased to be here for another year. One of the main reasons I've had the career I have is because of Lancashire, so it feels special to come full circle and sign my first professional domestic contract with the club."

Cross earned more than 100 caps for England in an international career lasting almost 12 years, taking more than 130 wickets across all formats, including more than 100 in one-day internationals.

Domestically, Cross has taken more than 350 wickets across all formats and helped Lancashire to a historic double success in 2025.

She made 24 appearances and claimed 28 wickets as Lancashire lifted the T20 County Cup and the Metro Bank One-Day Cup competitions for the first time.

Cross said: "Winning two trophies with Lancashire in 2025 gave me some of my favourite moments on a cricket field, so now the challenge is to better that.

"As a group, we're driven to take it on - we want more silverware because we had such a great time winning those trophies last summer."

Cross, a regular on BBC Sport's No Balls podcast, also won The Hundred with Northern Superchargers last summer to complete a personal domestic treble.

Lancashire's director of women's cricket David Thorley added: "Kate is a proven performer over a long period of time, both domestically and internationally, and we're delighted she has committed to another season at Old Trafford as we push for more silverware this summer.

"Her record with the ball speaks for itself, but it's her leadership, professionalism and understanding of the game that really sets her apart. She leads by example, drives high standards in training and has a real influence on the group.

"Kate will continue to be a huge asset to our playing squad and the wider club this season, both for what she delivers on the field and the culture she helps create off it."

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