Kate Cross, a seasoned seam bowler for England, has been ruled out of the first One Day International (ODI) of the multi-format Ashes series due to a back injury. The 33-year-old player, who has been a pivotal part of England's bowling attack since her debut in 2013, was unable to prove her fitness in time for the opening match. This setback comes as England faces a challenging series against Australia, needing an outright victory to reclaim the Ashes trophy.
Cross's absence from the opening ODI, which took place on Saturday, is a significant blow to the England team. Her experience and reliability, having played 72 ODIs, make her an indispensable asset to the side. However, a recurring back spasm, which initially sidelined her during a Test match against South Africa in December, has once again hindered her participation. Despite receiving an epidural in an effort to recover in time for the match, she could not reach the required fitness level.
During the recent tour against South Africa, Cross experienced a back spasm in the third ODI, further complicating her recovery. The situation was exacerbated by inclement weather conditions during the tour's only warm-up match, where rainfall limited play to just 28.2 overs. This left Cross without the opportunity to bowl and adequately test her fitness ahead of the crucial Ashes opener.
The current Ashes series is structured around three ODIs, three Twenty20 Internationals (T20s), and one Test match. With Australia currently holding the Ashes trophy, England faces an uphill battle to regain it. Though Cross is not part of England's T20 squad, her absence from the ODI lineup is notable, and she remains a likely candidate for participation in the Test match if her condition improves.
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