The Kate Cross and Alex Hartley relationship is a long-standing friendship built through professional cricket, shared experiences and a successful podcast partnership. Both women represented England, faced difficult moments during their sporting careers and developed a connection that extends well beyond the cricket field. Their natural chemistry, entertaining conversations and playful exchanges have sometimes led to questions about whether they are romantically involved. However, their publicly documented relationship is that of close friends and professional collaborators. Their story is particularly interesting because it combines sporting rivalry, emotional support and a shared career in cricket broadcasting.
Are Kate Cross and Alex Hartley in a Relationship?
Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are best friends, former England cricket teammates and co-hosts of No Balls: The Cricket Podcast. There is no credible public confirmation that the two are romantically involved.
Their friendship has been acknowledged in interviews with major sports publications, including BBC Sport and Sky Sports. Both have spoken about supporting one another through professional setbacks, changes in England selection and the pressures associated with international cricket.
In November 2020, their relationship became the subject of a lighthearted exchange on social media. When someone asked Hartley whether she was dating Cross, Hartley jokingly replied that she would never date a Chennai Super Kings supporter.
The joke referred to their different Indian Premier League preferences. Hartley supported Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Cross followed Chennai Super Kings.
The exchange reflected their familiar sense of humour rather than confirming a romantic relationship.
Who Are Kate Cross and Alex Hartley?
Both women established themselves as England international cricketers before developing a shared presence in sports media.
| Detail | Kate Cross | Alex Hartley |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Kathryn Laura Cross | Alexandra Hartley |
| Nationality | English | English |
| Cricket role | Right-arm medium-fast bowler | Slow left-arm orthodox spinner |
| England debut | 2013 | 2016 |
| International formats | Tests, ODIs and T20Is | ODIs and T20Is |
| Notable achievement | Represented England across all three formats | Won the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup |
| Professional retirement | 2026 | 2023 |
| Shared media project | No Balls: The Cricket Podcast | No Balls: The Cricket Podcast |
Although their bowling styles and playing careers were different, both developed strong connections to cricket in Lancashire. Their experiences in the England setup gave them a common understanding of selection pressure, team dynamics and the challenges of professional sport.
How Kate Cross and Alex Hartley’s Friendship Developed
Their friendship began long before either became known for podcasting.
Both players were connected to Lancashire cricket, where they developed their skills and pursued opportunities to represent England. Cross built her career as a seam bowler, while Hartley specialised in left-arm spin.
In a 2020 interview with SportSpiel, the pair discussed the beginnings of their friendship, including an actual car accident that became part of their shared story. Cross humorously described their connection as a “car crash” friendship.
Their relationship also experienced disagreements.
In a January 2025 interview with The Cricketer, Hartley recalled leaving Lancashire to represent Middlesex because she wanted to compete in Division One cricket.
Cross was unhappy with the decision. Hartley revealed that her friend barely spoke to her for approximately three years.
Despite that difficult period, they eventually rebuilt their friendship and became regular companions both inside and outside cricket.
The 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Tested Their Friendship
One of the most revealing episodes in their friendship occurred during England’s selection process for the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Hartley was selected for the tournament, but Cross missed out.
The two had travelled together to England’s training base at Loughborough. After learning that she had not made the squad, Cross waited while Hartley attended a team meeting.
Their journey home was uncomfortable. Hartley even avoided calling her parents to celebrate because she did not want to upset Cross.
England subsequently won the tournament by defeating India at Lord’s. Hartley contributed 10 wickets during the competition and became a World Cup winner.
Cross attended the final and watched her friends celebrate.
The experience illustrated a difficult reality of international sport: close friends can compete for the same opportunities while dealing with completely different outcomes.
How No Balls: The Cricket Podcast Brought Them Together
Their podcast became a second career built around their existing friendship.
Cross and Hartley started No Balls: The Cricket Podcast in late 2019.
The idea emerged after Hartley lost her England central contract. Rather than producing a conventional cricket analysis programme, the friends decided to record conversations about their experiences.
In a February 2023 interview with Sky Sports, Cross explained that their first recording was remarkably simple.
They sat together on a sofa, placed a phone between them and spoke for approximately 90 minutes. They then attempted to edit the conversation into a much shorter episode.
The programme developed into a mixture of cricket analysis, personal experiences, interviews and humour.
In 2021, No Balls joined BBC Sounds, expanding its audience beyond the people who already followed the cricketers on social media.
Its discussions have covered women’s cricket, international competitions, dressing-room experiences, mental health and life outside professional sport.
More Than Just Cricket Conversations
The podcast has also provided opportunities for both women to discuss challenging experiences.
Cross has spoken about anxiety, depression and the pressure of maintaining her identity as an England cricketer. Hartley has discussed the disappointment of losing her international contract after contributing to England’s World Cup success.
During a BBC Sport feature in May 2023, they discussed friendship, mental health and the importance of supporting one another.
Cross has credited the podcast with helping her understand that her personal value extends beyond her performances on the cricket field.
Their contrasting personalities and willingness to disagree also contribute to the programme’s relaxed atmosphere.
Did Kate Cross and Alex Hartley Live Together?
Yes. A BBC Sport profile published in 2021 identified Cross and Hartley as flatmates, Lancashire teammates and close friends.
At the time, both were involved with Manchester Originals in The Hundred.
Living together gave them another shared experience beyond international cricket and podcasting. However, their former living arrangements should not be interpreted as evidence of a romantic partnership.
The two also represented opposing teams in later editions of The Hundred, reflecting the changing nature of domestic and franchise cricket.
Their Careers After International Cricket
Hartley retired from professional cricket in August 2023. She announced her decision through No Balls, with Cross alongside her as co-host.
Her playing career included 32 international appearances and a significant contribution to England’s 2017 World Cup victory.
Following her retirement, Hartley continued working in cricket broadcasting and commentary.
Cross continued playing professional cricket for another three years.
In August 2026, she announced that she would retire at the end of the English domestic season. She completed her career with 102 England international appearances and 140 wickets across formats.
Her final professional match came against Yorkshire on 12 September 2026, representing Lancashire.
Although their playing careers have ended, their broadcasting partnership continued. No Balls released episodes in September 2026 through its feed produced by No Ratings Studios.
The programme remains a shared platform for their opinions, experiences and discussions about the game.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are Kate Cross and Alex Hartley dating?
Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are publicly known as close friends and podcast partners. Their friendship is well documented, but neither has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship with the other.
2. Are Kate Cross and Alex Hartley married to each other?
There is no credible public confirmation that Kate Cross and Alex Hartley are married to each other. Their established connection is friendship and professional collaboration.
3. How did Kate Cross and Alex Hartley become friends?
Their friendship developed through cricket in Lancashire. Both pursued professional playing careers and subsequently represented England. They discussed the unusual beginnings of their friendship during a 2020 SportSpiel interview.
4. Did Kate Cross and Alex Hartley play cricket together?
Yes. Both represented England during overlapping international careers and were also Lancashire teammates. Their careers included appearances in domestic cricket and The Hundred.
5. What is Kate Cross and Alex Hartley’s podcast called?
Their programme is called No Balls: The Cricket Podcast. It combines cricket analysis, interviews, personal stories and humorous conversations. The podcast has appeared on BBC Sounds and is also available through podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts.
6. Have Kate Cross and Alex Hartley retired from cricket?
Yes. Hartley retired from professional cricket in 2023, while Cross concluded her playing career in September 2026. Both have remained connected to the sport through media work.
Conclusion
The Kate Cross and Alex Hartley relationship is a friendship shaped by international cricket, professional competition and years of shared experiences. From an uncomfortable World Cup selection journey to their successful No Balls podcast, they have supported each other through major changes in their careers.
Their connection is publicly established as a close friendship and broadcasting partnership, rather than a confirmed romance. Their story offers an engaging example of how relationships formed through professional sport can continue long after the final match.
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