Everyone at Heywood Cricket Club would like to congratulate Kate Cross on an outstanding career following her announcement that she will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season.

For everyone at Heywood, there is an added sense of pride because Kate’s cricketing journey began here at Crimble. She grew up around the club and developed her love for the game alongside her older brother Bobby—Heywood’s all-time leading run-scorer, a longstanding former club captain and, most recently, club chairman.

Bobby taught Kate to play cricket during countless hours spent together in the back garden, before those early lessons eventually transferred to the middle at Crimble. As one of the club’s best-known and most respected figures, Bobby’s influence makes Kate’s connection to Heywood particularly special.

In 2015, Kate made history by becoming the first female player to appear in the Central Lancashire Cricket League. Appropriately, Bobby was alongside her at mid-off as she took three wickets for Heywood on her debut against Clifton—although he did drop a catch which would have given Kate her first wicket in senior men’s cricket!

Just a few weeks later, Kate produced a remarkable spell of 8 for 47 against local rivals Unsworth, bowling unchanged for almost 16 overs. It was a performance that silenced the doubters, broke down barriers and helped pave the way for more women and girls to compete in senior men’s cricket across the local leagues.

Breaking barriers has been a recurring theme throughout Kate’s career. She became the youngest player to represent Lancashire Women and was the first female cricketer accepted into the Lancashire Academy. In 2014, she was also among the first group of 18 women to receive a professional contract from the ECB—another landmark moment for women’s cricket in England.

Since making her international debut in 2013, Kate has represented England 102 times across all three formats, taking 140 wickets and becoming an Ashes winner. Her achievements, professionalism and passion for the game have made her a wonderful ambassador for cricket and an inspirational role model to countless young players.

Kate’s career has been about far more than wickets and appearances. Through her determination, resilience and willingness to challenge perceptions, she has helped change the landscape of women’s cricket and created opportunities for those following in her footsteps.

Kate has performed on some of the biggest stages in world cricket, but to everyone at Heywood she will always be one of our own. We are incredibly proud that the journey began here at Crimble and that the Cross family continues to hold such a special place within our club.

Congratulations on a truly wonderful career, Kate. Everyone connected with Heywood Cricket Club wishes you every success and happiness in whatever comes next.

Once Heywood, always Heywood! ❤️🏏