Cricket: Kate Cross appointed Lancashire Thunder captain

Kate Cross

Heywood CC and England Women’s Kate Cross has been named as the new captain of Lancashire Thunder for the 2019 Kia Super League season.

27-year-old pace bowler Cross replaces Dani Hazell as skipper of the Twenty20 side, following her retirement from cricket earlier this year. Hazell is now head coach of the Yorkshire Diamonds.

Cross made her Lancashire debut at the age of just 13 and became the first girl to be accepted into the Lancashire Academy at 15.

She won her first England cap in 2013 and has played for Thunder in every edition of the Women's Cricket Super League – Cross has also enjoyed two spells at the Women’s Big Bash League with Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers.

Kate Cross said: “I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been offered the opportunity to captain Lancashire Thunder in the Kia Super League this summer.

“I have been proud to represent the Red Rose for 14 years now and I am hugely excited to lead this fantastic group of girls.

“Dani was a superb captain and we wish her all the best as head coach of Yorkshire Diamonds, it is my hope that we can build on the great progress made last year.”

Head coach Alex Blackwell commented: “I’m really pleased that Kate has accepted our offer to be captain of Lancashire Thunder and I believe she will do a fantastic job.

“I was really impressed with Kate as a cricketer and a leader in 2018 and her strong relationship with the squad will be crucial, as will the experiences that she will be able to pass on to the younger players.

“I was pleased with the performance of Lancashire Thunder in last year’s Kia Super League and I hope that we can better that in 2019.”

Alex Blackwell will also be joined at Emirates Old Trafford by Mark McInnes for the campaign. McInnes currently works with Sydney Thunder in the Women's Big Bash League and will link up with the existing coaching team.

Blackwell oversaw Thunder’s best ever performance in 2018, winning five matches and narrowly missing out on a Finals Day berth during the final round of fixtures.

Further announcements on overseas signings and full confirmation of the Lancashire Thunder squad will be made ahead of the start of the new campaign.