Kate Cross and Fi Morris reflect on their retirement
The curtain has come down on the careers of Lancashire Cricket allrounders Kate Cross and Fi Morris.
The pair called time on their professional careers towards the end of the 2026 campaign and played their final game at Headingly in the win against Yorkshire on the 12th of September.
It was the perfect end to Cross’ glittering career, a true Lancastrian getting one over the White Rose in her final appearance. The 34-year-old finished with figures of 2-54, including a delivery in her first spell to dismiss Rebecca Duckworth which swung in late and bowled the Yorkshire opener.
Following Lancashire’s dramatic late win away to Durham at AO Farington Cricket Ground earlier in the competition, Cross spoke to LancsTV, where she underlined just how content she is with her decision to retire.
“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,” the former England seamer explained.
It has been a strong campaign in the Metro Bank One Day Cup for Cross, who finished as Lancashire’s leading wicket-taker. She finished on 27 wickets for the season, averaging just 23.25, with two four-wicket hauls.
It is an excellent way for the former England international to finish her career, and she spoke highly of the new guard who will now begin to replace her and Morris in the squad.
“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.”
As for Morris, her retirement brings to an end four seasons as a Lancashire player. She has had quite the career for the Red Rose, scoring more than 1,000 runs and taking over 50 wickets during her time at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
Morris, an adopted Lancastrian and a key member of the first team, also ended her career in an unforgettable way with her performance at Headingly last weekend.
The off-spinner took 3-36 off her 10 overs, before blasting 12 not out from four deliveries, and was at the crease when captain Ellie Threlkeld hit the winning runs.
At the end of her final game, she spoke about the emotions of the day and her form of late, which has been excellent since the resumption of the One Day Cup.
“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.”
The all-rounder will venture into business post-retirement, with her skincare business, KoSkn. But she explained that she still loves the sport she has played for almost 20 years, even if her involvement on the playing side has now ended.
“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.”
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