The nucleation and propagation of matrix cracks typically mark the initial stages of damage in composite materials. Even though these cracks alone rarely result in structural failure, they serve as precursors to subsequent damage mechanisms, such as diffuse delamination. With this in mind, understanding the evolution of crack nucleation and its interaction with delamination becomes highly relevant. Several authors have previously contributed to this topic, employing analytical models based on shear-lag theory \cite{berthelotModelTransverseCracking2000} or by employing numerical approaches \cite{vandermeerCohesiveModelingTransverse2013}. However, quantifying both qualitatively or quantitatively the link between matrix cracking and delamination still remains a challenge. This study aims to close this gap. Glass/epoxy cross-ply laminates with varying inner layer thicknesses (ranging from 0.8 to 3.2 mm) and constant outer ply thicknesses are subjected to tensile static loading. Each laminate is modelled using a homogenized unit-cell approach, where the interface between transverse and longitudinal plies is represented by zero-thickness cohesive elements. The unit cell represents a quarter of the region between two consecutive cracks, with symmetry conditions applied at the laminate mid-plane and the crack modelled as a free surface. As a result, the unit cell length represents half the distance between these two cracks. The model is initialized with a predefined crack spacing, which is iteratively updated based on the stress in the transverse ply, which accounts for the increase in crack density during loading until saturation. The model was used to investigate the influence of inner ply thickness on crack saturation and diffuse delamination. The findings were compared against analytical predictions from \cite{berthelotModelTransverseCracking2000} and experimental observations. In the experimental study, tensile tests were recorded using a high-resolution camera system, where the crack spacing and delamination areas were subsequently analysed using a crack detection and delamination evaluation tool.