Kate Cross and Fi Morris have retired from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season, with both players making their final appearance for Lancashire against Yorkshire at Headingley on September 12, 2026. Lancashire Women confirmed on September 16, 2026 that seven first-team players would depart at the close of the season, with Cross and Morris among the most prominent names on that list.
Cross, aged 34, made her senior county debut for Lancashire in 2005 at the age of 13. Over a career spanning more than two decades, she made over 200 appearances for Lancashire and claimed 244 wickets across all Red Rose teams. At international level, she earned 102 England caps and took 140 wickets for the national side, also captaining England in 2024.
Morris played four seasons for Lancashire, scoring more than 1,000 runs and taking over 50 wickets during her time with the county.
How did Cross and Morris perform in their final game?
Both players signed off with strong individual performances in the Headingley fixture. Cross finished with bowling figures of 2-54, dismissing Rebecca Duckworth and Ami Campbell. Morris produced an all-round contribution, taking 3-36 off 10 overs and scoring 12 not out from just 4 deliveries.
Cross also ended the 2026 Metro Bank One Day Cup as Lancashire’s leading wicket-taker, finishing the competition with 27 wickets at an average of 23.25, a tally that included two four-wicket hauls. Morris reflected on the occasion with a sense of satisfaction.
“It’s quite emotional, I guess. To go out on a high like today, with a good pal in Crossy, it’s pretty special. Performance wise, the last few weeks is up there as the best I’ve performed for Lancashire over the last couple of years, really. I guess that’s maybe because the pressure has been taken off. All you want to do in the last few weeks of your career is enjoy it, and I feel like I’m at my best when I enjoy it. My dream was to end my career still loving the game, and I still love the game,” said Morris as quoted by Lancashire cricket.
“There is no doubt. I am really content with my decision, I’m really pleased and happy with it. As much as I will miss cricket, and I’ll really miss competing, and I will miss playing, of course I will. But I think if you ask me that when I’m 70 years old, that’s the same answer that I’ll give you,” said Cross.
Cross also acknowledged the timing of her exit in relation to the emerging talent at Lancashire.
“I think you just know when it’s your time to finish. We’ve had some brilliant youngsters coming through, the likes of Venus [Weerappuli], Skye [Thomas] and Brinny [Olivia Brinsden] and it feels like a great time to hand it over to those girls now,” said Cross.
