Kate Cross played her last professional game on September 12. Lauren Winfield-Hill watched her take the field for Lancashire Women against Yorkshire Women. Making it a deeply emotional, full-circle moment.
What Did Lauren Winfield-Hill Say About Kate Cross?
Winfield-Hill, speaking on Wisden Cricket’s YouTube channel, captured the essence of what it means to grow up alongside someone inside the fierce, beautiful bubble of elite sport.
“I was keeping an eye on the Lancashire game. Because I obviously had a chance to go through, and, you know, I think it was actually really nice for Crossy,” Winfield-Hill said. “I don’t think she was that bothered about finishing at Harrington.
“But I think it was quite nice for her to finish here, because she’s actually played a lot of cricket there. Obviously in The Hundred, she sort of – it feels like a bit of a home away from home for her.”
Winfield-Hill, who took the field for Yorkshire in the same game, also revealed how their rivalry took a delightfully domestic turn just 24 hours before the first ball was bowled.
“She (Kate Cross) came around for dinner the night before and was brainwashing my little baby Marot to be supporting Lancashire in her last game,” Winfield-Hill added. “And talking about how much she’s going to take my poll for one last time.
“So, I was pretty determined to not let her get through, cuz she is actually—she calls me a bunny, which is a bit offensive really, but she is actually one of those balls which I dread facing. She’s had my name quite a lot over the years.”
Cross actually turned in a typically wholehearted shift. Picking up 2 wickets for 54 runs in her 9 overs, Lancashire ultimately secured a parting win for her.
But their bond runs much deeper.
“But, yeah, it was nice. Her family were there. You could hear her little nephew and niece cheering and screaming throughout the day,” Winfield-Hill continued. “And selfishly I was really glad that I was there for her last game, cuz she’s someone that I’ve played (with).
“Obviously, you know, she’s one of my very, very close friends. But she’s someone that’s like, she sort of feel—you feel like you’ve gone through the whole era with her… I’ve been on a lot of tours with Crossy. We’ve bubbled together in COVID…”
An unforgettable chapter of English cricket has now closed.
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