Cross lands award

England and Lancashire youngster Katie Cross has won the Eversheds Most Promising Young Cricketer award.

The 15-year-old broke into the England Development side this summer and put in some highly impressive performances in the County Championships and for the Sapphires in the Super 4s.

Cross, who began playing the sport at the age of eight, played for Lancashire Women Under-13s when she was only 10.

She has since represented the county at under-15 and under-17 level, finally making her debut for the senior side at the age of 13.

Accolades continued to flow for Cross, and in October 2006 she was the first female to be accepted into the Lancashire Academy.

This bought immediate rewards and in August 2007 she represented her country at the England Development Under-21 squad in Holland at the European Championships.

Only six women have won it in the 60 years the award has been running. Cross’ England team-mates Sarah Taylor, Jenny Gunn and Katherine Brunt are previous winners as well as rising stars Kathryn Doherty and Sophie Le Marchand.

Gill McConway, ECB executive director of women’s cricket, paid tribute to Cross, who will collect the award on November 2 at the Royal Overseas League in London.

“Katie is a very exciting young prospect,” McConway said. “This season, at the tender age of only 15, she has been a key player in the Lancashire side and went on to represent England in the Development XI at European Championships in Holland.

“She will train with the England senior side this winter and her progression into that side will not be too far away if she continues to produce eye-catching performances.”