Linsey Smith has waited seven years for this – her first full England central contract. The 30-year-old left-arm spinner sits on a list of 17 centrally contracted players for 2025-26 released by the ECB, ten of whom are on fresh one-year agreements.
Alongside Smith on those single-season deals are seniors Tammy Beaumont and Sophia Dunkley, rising talents Alice Capsey, Maia Bouchier and Lauren Filer, plus Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn and Freya Kemp.
The remaining seven – Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, captain Heather Knight, wicketkeeper Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Danni Wyatt-Hodge – roll into the final year of their existing two-year contracts.
No shocks, although Kate Cross’ name is absent. England’s longest-serving quick disclosed back in September that her deal would not be renewed after nearly 12 years in the national set-up. On Wednesday Clare Connor, managing director of England Women, underlined the position yet left the door ajar. “The door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer,” she said, adding that county form would always speak loudest.
Smith’s story feels neatly circular. She won nine T20I caps between 2018 and 2019 before drifting from the England picture. A recall for the New Zealand tour last March revived her hopes; a maiden ODI five-for against West Indies in May sealed them.
Two newcomers earn “skills contracts”, the re-badged development deals: seamer Em Arlott, who debuted at 27 versus West Indies earlier this year, and all-rounder Emma Lamb, back after 2024 back surgery. They join Ryana Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong, already on the pathway scheme.
“Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb and Em Arlott have all made important contributions for England across the last year and these contracts are both a reward for what they have achieved and an opportunity to develop their skills further,” Connor said.
She also paid tribute to Cross. “Kate Cross misses out on a central contract after years of extraordinary service to England Women’s cricket. The door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer. Consistency in scoring runs and taking wickets in county cricket will always put players in a strong position to be picked in England squads.”
With next summer’s T20 World Cup final booked for Lord’s on 5 July, England’s hierarchy have a clear target. “We’re all excited about what 2025-26 brings. Witnessing India win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in their own country in front of their own fans is a powerful reminder of the impact that winning major events on home soil can have,” Connor added.
England Women’s central contracts 2025-26
One-year: Linsey Smith, Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Freya Kemp
Second year of two-year deals: Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
Skills contracts: Em Arlott, Emma Lamb, Ryana Macdonald-Gay, Issy Wong
