At 33, Kate Cross has achieved another fine milestone in her professional career, completing 50 scalps in the Women’s Hundred. A dependable figure in England’s pace arsenal and a tournament regular since the inaugural edition, Cross has combined consistency with leadership across two franchises, steadily carving her place among the most impactful bowlers in the competition’s short history.
She bought up her memorable landmark when she landed a double blow, removing Maia Bouchier (13 off 11 balls), and Laura Wolvaardt (0 off 1 ball) for a golden duck on successive deliveries inside the powerplay to bring the Northern Superchargers back into the contest in the grand finale against the Southern Brave at Lord’s, London. She returned with impressive match figures of 20-8-23-2 in her spell with the ball for her side.
Cross made her Hundred debut on 21 July 2021 for the Manchester Originals against the Oval Invincibles at The Oval, and her start was nothing short of promising. Leading the Originals’ pace attack, she collected 17 wickets across 13 innings, operating at an average of 18.64 and an economy of 7.42. While her batting contributions were lean, 16 runs in six innings, Cross brought the kind of new‑ball steadiness that kept her side in contests during tight phases.
By the third edition, Cross made the move to the Northern Superchargers, and her career graph in the competition only grew sharper. With 33 wickets in 27 innings at an average of 18.21 and an economy of 7.12, her impact extended beyond mere numbers. A highlight came in Leeds on 4 August 2024, when she ran through the Manchester Originals’ batting order with figures of 4 for 20, a spell that remains one of the standout bowling performances in Superchargers’ history. With the bat, she chipped in with 57 runs at a strike rate of 91.93, often playing handy lower‑order cameos when needed.
This year, Cross has elevated her rhythm even further. In the ongoing edition of the tournament, she ended as the 2nd highest wicket‑taker for the Superchargers and the 3rd highest wicket-taker of the tournament, collecting 15 wickets in ten innings at a brilliant average of 14.06 and a miserly economy of 6.49. Her efficiency with the ball has also translated into wider tournament recognition.
Across her Hundred career, Cross has now bagged 50 wickets in 40 innings at an average of 18.36 and an economy of 7.22, including one four‑wicket haul. Alongside her bowling returns, she has 73 runs at a strike rate of 94.80 and an average of 7.30 in 16 innings. These numbers outline not just her discipline but also her adaptability across seasons, roles, and pressure situations.
As she completed the 50‑wicket landmark, Cross continues to be the kind of steady spearhead every franchise craves, a bowler who can strike upfront, contain through the middle, and deliver breakthroughs late. For the Superchargers, and for the Hundred itself, her milestone is not just a statistic on paper; it is a testament to her sustained quality and the imprint of a senior seamer who has helped shape the league’s competitive pulse.
