Kate Cross signs for Brisbane Heat

Kate Cross

Heywood Cricket Club star Kate Cross has signed for Brisbane Heat to compete in the inaugural Women's Big Bash League in Australia.

Cross will be one of the Heat’s inaugural international recruits for the new T20 league in the Australian summer.

She created international headlines a few months ago when she became the first woman to play in the Central Lancashire League men’s competition for Heywood, only to eclipse that announcement with a haul of 8-47 against Unsworth a few weeks after her debut.

Coach Andy Richards said: “John Stock, our General Manager of Game Development, worked previously in the English Women’s High Performance unit and he recommended Kate to us. Kate and her brother Bobby both play for Heywood and are mates with Clinton Perren, the former Bulls batsman who plays for a rival club (Littleborough) in the Central Lancashire League, and ‘CP’ was good enough to give us a ringing endorsement.”

Cross said she was excited about being part of the first ever WBBL: “It’s going to be a great cricket experience and also a great life experience.

“The English girls who played out in Australia last summer spoke highly of the quality of cricket and the enjoyment of living there, so I’m very keen to see what Brisbane and Queensland has to offer.

“Clint was very positive about Queensland Cricket and took the time to talk about the culture and the environment around their teams, so I’m delighted to be able to join the Heat and enjoy that.”

Cross will go from opponent to team-mate when she shares bowling duties with the WBBL Heat’s first signing, Southern Stars quick Holly Ferling.

“There hasn’t been a lot of time to talk about it during the Ashes, as that has been the focus for all of us, but it will be great fun to play alongside Holly later in the year.’’ she said.

Jenny Laycock, LCB's Women's and Girls Cricket Development Officer, added: "Kate has worked hard over the past few years, she now has a professional central contract with the ECB and to also have the opportunity to go and play oversees in the Women’s Big Bash League for Brisbane Heat its testament to her commitment and skill. These opportunities will provide valuable experience for Kate and the other girls heading out there. I hope it will also inspire some of the younger generation of promising cricketers to look at what they could get to."