MANCHESTER — England seamer Kate Cross has described the feeling of being omitted from the national squad for the upcoming 50-over Women's World Cup as "savage."
The 32-year-old Lancashire bowler, a mainstay of the England attack for over a decade, was a notable absence from the 15-player squad named by head coach Charlotte Edwards for the tournament in India, which begins in September.
Cross, who has taken 71 wickets in 68 One Day Internationals, expressed her profound disappointment in a candid interview on the BBC's No Balls podcast, which she co-hosts with teammate Alex Hartley.
"It feels savage," Cross stated. "It’s one of those where you’re almost a little bit embarrassed to be left out. It’s a really hard pill to swallow. I’m absolutely gutted."
A Surprise Omission
The decision marks a significant shift in England's bowling plans, as Cross has been a consistent performer in the 50-over format. Her ability to swing the new ball and bowl miserly spells in the middle overs has been a key component of England's strategy for years.
Her omission suggests head coach Charlotte Edwards is looking towards a new pace-bowling unit, with the uncapped 20-year-old left-armer Sophie Munro receiving her first senior call-up alongside the experienced Lauren Bell and Nat Sciver-Brunt's seam bowling.
Cross revealed she received the news directly from Edwards and captain Heather Knight. "I had a call from Lottie and Heather. It was a really tough call. They said it was one of the hardest calls they’ve had to make," she shared on the podcast.
Recent Form and Fitness Questions
While Cross has been a loyal servant to English cricket, her recent form and fitness have come under scrutiny. She struggled during the recent ODI series against New Zealand, taking just one wicket across three matches at an expensive economy rate.
A history of health issues, including a battle with malaria in 2023 and ongoing management of an iron deficiency condition, may have also factored into the selectors' decision to look towards younger, perhaps more durable, options.
The selection panel, led by Edwards, appears to be prioritizing long-term fitness and a specific type of bowling attack suited to subcontinental conditions, where extra pace or mystery spin can be more effective than traditional swing.
The New-Look Bowling Attack
England's chosen squad indicates a clear tactical direction. The pace bowling responsibilities will fall to:
- Lauren Bell (Right-arm fast medium)
- Sophie Ecclestone (Left-arm orthodox spin)
- Sophie Munro (Right-arm fast medium/Left-arm orthodox)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (Right-arm medium)
This attack is heavily supplemented by all-rounders, including Alice Capsey and Danny Wyatt, who can provide part-time spin options. The selection of Munro, who offers a different angle and has impressed in domestic circuits, was the direct swap for Cross's role.
Cross's Reaction and Future
Despite her devastation, Cross handled the news with characteristic professionalism. She emphasized her commitment to supporting the team and fighting for her place back in the setup.
"I’ll still be the number one supporter. I’ll be going out to a few games and I’ll be watching every ball. I want those girls to win the World Cup," she said.
She also acknowledged the difficult nature of selection at the highest level, stating, "It’s not a nice phone call to get, but it’s also not a nice phone call to make. They were gutted for me."
The Road to India
The ICC Women's World Cup is scheduled to be held in India from September 23 to October 23. England, the 2017 champions, will be aiming to reclaim the title they last won in a thrilling final against India at Lord's.
The squad, under the new leadership of Charlotte Edwards, will enter a rigorous training camp before departing for the subcontinent. They will play a series of warm-up matches to acclimatize to the pitches and conditions.
For Kate Cross, the immediate future will involve returning to county cricket with Thunder and aiming to prove the selectors wrong with performances that cannot be ignored.
"This isn’t the end of my international career," she asserted defiantly. "I’m going to fight to get my place back. I still have a lot of cricket left in me."
Her omission serves as a stark reminder of the relentless competition for places in international sport and the difficult, often heart-wrenching, decisions that coaches must make in pursuit of global glory.