England fast bowler Kate Cross has announced that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the English summer, bringing an end to a 15-year international career.

International career comes to a close

The 34-year-old made 102 international appearances for England across formats. Her record includes 101 wickets in 76 ODIs, 25 wickets in eight Tests and 14 wickets in 18 T20Is.

Cross has not played for England since losing her ECB central contract in September last year. She made her international debut in 2013 after being called up for the 2011 Ashes, taking four wickets for 51 runs on her ODI debut against West Indies in Barbados and earning Player of the Match honours.

Her Test debut came during the 2014 Ashes in Perth, where she took three wickets in each innings as England won the one-off Test. Her best international bowling figures followed in 2015, when she claimed five for 24 against New Zealand in Lincoln.

A lasting Lancashire connection

Cross's relationship with Lancashire began almost two decades ago. Born in Lancashire, she joined the county's junior side at 13 and became the first girl admitted to the Lancashire Academy two years later. She made her senior debut in 2005 and remained a regular for the county throughout her career.

She also played for Brisbane Heat in Australia's Women's Big Bash League, was part of the Lancashire Thunder set-up from the launch of the women's competition and later captained Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

Final summer with Lancashire

Cross recently returned to domestic action for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred and will spend the remainder of the summer with Lancashire before ending her playing career.

“This summer is going to be my last playing professional cricket,” Cross wrote in an Instagram post. “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.”

She added that she felt fortunate to have played professionally at the highest level and to have met people who had given her memories she would remain thankful for throughout her life.