England release Kate Cross for Heyhoe Flint Trophy

The seamer didn't feature in the first T20I against South Africa and has been released to play for Thunder on Saturday

England have released Kate Cross from their T20I squad so the seamer can turn out for Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Cross, 30, didn't play on Thursday evening as England wrapped up victory in the multiformat series against South Africa with two matches to spare.

She was one of three seamers unused, with teenage left-armer Freya Kemp and right-armer Freya Davies also left out at Chelmsford.

Following the international retirement of Anya Shrubsole, Cross has become an increasingly senior player in Heather Knight's squad.

^{Emma Lamb is also available for Thunder after her ODI exploits (Ashley Allen/Getty Images)}

But the make-up of England's T20 side – with Katherine Brunt and Issy Wong sharing the new ball and Nat Sciver providing a third seam option – has made her expendable for the moment, though the squad for the ongoing series will remain the same for the Commonwealth Games, where it seems likely that Cross will feature given the regularity of England's fixtures and the need to keep bowlers fresh.

Thunder face Central Sparks at Emirates Old Trafford on Saturday, needing a win after beginning their campaign with three straight defeats.

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