Kate out to cement her place

KATE CROSS . . . youth on her side.

CRICKET:

LOCAL willow star Kate Cross is hoping to use the England women’s tour of New Zealand next month to nail a place in the Test and one-day teams.

Cross, daughter of former Athletic centre forward David and a cricketer who came through the ranks at Heywood and Lancashire, was a key member of the England team that won the Ashes last winter.

Kate is among the first 18 England women players to receive a contract, allowing them to become full-time professionals.

Cross took six wickets in that famous victory in Perth, but is currently third in line among England's strike bowlers. At 23, time is clearly on her side, but she is anxious to become one of the first names on the teamsheet at Test, ODI and T20 level.

Cross has made 12 appearances for England in all forms of cricket since making her debut in a T20 international in the West Indies in October 2013.

“I still don’t feel like I’ve got a cemented place in the team,” the seamer told the ECB website.

“I am certainly behind Katherine (Brunt) and Anya (Shrubsole) as strike bowlers, so my place in the team is the third strike-bowler position.

“But I am only 23 so I’m hoping if I can keep myself fit and strong, then I will have a long career and that kind of place will come in a few years’ time.

“I am just enjoying my time with the girls and training pretty much every day. It is really nice to be able to train frequently with the girls and challenge each other.”