Left-arm Lynsey Smith has been handed his first full-time contract with Central England for the 2025-26 season.
The 30-year-old is among 17 players to receive full central contracts, with 10 players given new one-year deals and seven players in the second year of their current tenures.
Smith made her one-day international debut in May and featured during India’s World Cup campaign this year.
Four players have been awarded skills contracts, with Em Arlott and Emma Lamb the first to be awarded, joined by Ryanna Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong.
Kate Cross, who has taken more than 100 wickets in all formats for England and is spearheading the attack from Catherine Sciver-Brant’s retirement in 2023, opened an eye lost the central contract in September.
The 33-year-old pace bowler learned of the decision ahead of the Women’s Hundred in August and said it had been “the hardest week of her career”.
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Sky Sports’ Nasser Hussain analyzes England’s performance, questioning how the team can show more improvement among the younger players and address their weaknesses.
“Kate Cross misses out on a Central contract after years of outstanding service to England women’s cricket,” said Clare Connor, managing director of England Women.
“The selection door is never closed to any domestic cricketer. Consistency in scoring and taking wickets in county cricket will always put players in a strong position to be selected in England teams.”
“Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb and Em Arlot have all made important contributions to England over the past year and these contracts are both a reward for what they have achieved and an opportunity to further develop their skills.
“We are all excited about what 2025/26 holds. Seeing India win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup at home in front of their own fans is a powerful reminder of the impact that winning big events on home soil can have.”
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England coach Charlotte Edwards shares her disappointment at England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to South Africa.
“The Red Roses also provided that inspiration. So we know what a huge opportunity next summer’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is for us.”
“Furthermore, I know all our players will be pushing hard to be involved in the historic Women’s Test at Lord’s against India.”
Existing contracts
(Entering Year 2 of 2)
Lauren Bell (Hampshire)
Charlie Dean (Somerset)
Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)
Heather Knight (Somerset)
Amy Jones (The Blaze)
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)
Danny Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey)
New one-year contracts
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Maya Bouchier (Hampshire)
Alice Kepsey (Surrey)
Sophia Dunkley (Surrey)
Lauren Filer (Durham)
Mahika Gaur (Lancashire)
Daniel Gibson (Somerset)
Sarah Glenn (Yorkshire)
Freya Kemp (Hampshire)
Lynsey Smith (Hampshire)
New skills contracts
Em Arlott (Warwickshire)
Emma Lamb (Lancashire)
Ryan McDonald-Gay (Surrey)
Issy Wong (Warwickshire)