Kate Cross is trying to get her head round two blunt phone calls. First, she discovered her central contract would not be renewed when the current batch ends in October. Days later she learnt she had been overlooked for England’s provisional World Cup squad – but was still expected to keep bowling in case an injury crops up.
A quick recap. The 33-year-old seamer has played 102 times for her country since debuting in 2013, usually trusted to take the new ball and, more recently, serve as Heather Knight’s vice-captain in 50-over cricket. In early August she sat down with head coach Charlotte “Lottie” Edwards and director of cricket Jonathan Finch for her post-season appraisal. The conversation was short, the message clear.
“I had my appraisal with Lot and Finchy, our director of cricket, and they just told me that I’m not going to get my England contract renewed next year,” Cross said on the latest episode of No Balls, the podcast she co-hosts with close friend Alex Hartley. “So as of October this year, 2025, I will not be a professional cricketer for England anymore.”
Cross admitted on the pod that saying the words out loud made her “feel sick”. She had still to process the second piece of news – given, rather awkwardly, while she was in the middle of the Hundred.
“I had a phone-call with Lottie at the end of the Hundred where she was like: ‘Look if you’re willing, can you keep training through October? Because if an injury goes down to one of the seamers, we are going to need you.’ That’s the bit I’m finding tough, because the end point isn’t now for me,” she said. “I’m back at Old Trafford next week bowling. It’s not been great. But I also have to think if an injury does go down, I have to go and be ready to play for England in a World Cup.”
The timing felt harsh. Cross had just helped Northern Superchargers win the Hundred, claiming two wickets in the final at Lord’s, yet could not crack England’s initial 15. Domestic form has rarely been her problem; shifts in selection policy appear the bigger factor.
Analysing the situation, former England all-rounder Mel Jones suggested experience has been traded for pace. “England are clearly looking at bowlers who can hit 75-plus mph regularly. Cross operates a notch below that, so any dip in accuracy looks starker,” Jones told BBC Test Match Special.
Central contracts, due to be announced in December, have grown more competitive as the women’s programme expands. Cross sensed danger at the end of July during the home ODI series against India, one England lost 2-1.
“I started the India series opening the bowling for England as vice-captain, and I finished that series not even making the 13 that was named the night before, for the squad to play in that last ODI,” she recalled. “Lottie said to me, in a chat the day before the game, that it was a must-win game and I’m not part of the 13. As a cricketer who’s always prided myself on being a reliable bowler for your captain, who would hopefully stand up in big moments and do what I’ve done for a while for England, that was pretty tough to hear. I felt like a lot of trust had been lost quite quickly.
“I’m not daft, I’m old enough and wise enough, and been around the block plenty of times to know that something’s happened there that might mean my future is maybe in a little bit of jeopardy.”
Cross insists she is not finished with cricket. Lancashire and the Superchargers remain keen, and the forthcoming Women’s Premier League auction could yet present an overseas opportunity. The immediate challenge, however, is staying motivated while effectively on call.
Sports psychologist Dr Sarah Murray believes that limbo can be draining. “Athletes crave clarity. Being told you’re out but must stay ready is emotionally confusing. The key is setting short-term, controllable goals – one net session at a time.”
England will name their final World Cup squad in January. Injuries are inevitable in a heavy winter schedule, and Cross is too seasoned to rule out one last stint in national colours. For now, she bowls at Old Trafford, contractless but not quite done.
