Kate Cross finally finds some ‘closure’ after abrupt end to England career

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Former England seamer Kate Cross has found “closure” after retiring from professional cricket and is pondering a future in coaching – in the men’s or women’s game.

Cross bowed out on her own terms with Lancashire last month, a year on from the abrupt, and enforced, end of her international career.

“Everyone says, ‘when you know, you know’ and I thought that was a load of rubbish until it happened to me,” Cross told the Press Association.

“Not many people get to control the end of their England career but was there was an element of control this time, having it be my own decision. There was probably a bit more closure for me.”

Cross entered the sport as a 13-year-old in the amateur era, went on to become one of the country’s first batch of professionally contracted female players in 2014 and walked away as one of only eight women to reach 100 ODI wickets for England.

She has also built a significant following for her media work, including the No Balls podcast with former team-mate Alex Hartley.

“The messages I’ve got have been overwhelming, people have told me what they think my legacy has been and it’s been lovely to read but it’s a bit early for me to process that,” she said.

“But I have been proud to go through the phases from amateur to pro, and trying to be a voice in that, trying to make it better. As I got older the standards I set for the women’s game grew and exceeded all the expectations I’d set 10 years earlier and my journey went the same way.”

Cross admits transitioning to a tracksuit role did not always appeal but is open to the idea now. There have never been more coaching positions in women’s cricket, thanks to the growth of the Hundred and ‘Project Darwin’ expansion of the county setup, but the opportunities may not stop there.

Hartley has worked as a spin bowling coach with Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League and Cross’ former team-mate Sarah Taylor has been earning rave reviews as a fielding specialist with the England men’s side, paving the way for others to follow.

“The narrative is changing for women, absolutely. If you’re good enough to do a role, it doesn’t matter if you’re male or female. That’s super exciting,” she said.

“Sarah is a trailblazer and that’s no surprise to anyone who’s ever known her. She’s an exceptionally skilful cricketer and it’s not important that she’s a man or a woman. Alex would never have thought she would coach in men’s cricket but she loved it and she thrived in it. Now, if you’re lucky enough to have an international career, you might get those opportunities to use your knowledge and experience.

“I’m hoping something crops up and I won’t say no to anything. I can’t imagine a life without cricket.”