Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has been awarded her first full England women’s central contract for 2025–26.
A total of 17 players have been named on full central contracts: 10 have received new one-year deals and seven are entering the second year of two-year agreements.
Smith, 30, made her one-day international debut in May and was part of England’s World Cup squad in India this year.
Four players have been given skills contracts: Em Arlott and Emma Lamb each received their first skills deals, and they are joined by Ryana Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong.
There was one notable omission from the central list. Pace bowler Kate Cross, who has taken more than 100 wickets across formats for England and led the attack after Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s retirement in 2023, did not retain a central contract. Cross described being told of the decision on the eve of the Women’s Hundred in August as the toughest week of her career.
Clare Connor, Managing Director of England Women, paid tribute to Cross’s service and stressed that the door to international selection remains open for domestic performers. Connor also highlighted Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb and Em Arlott for the important contributions they’ve made over the last year, calling the contracts both a reward for achievements to date and an opportunity to further develop their skills. She added that the squad is focused on the opportunities ahead, including a home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next summer and the prospect of a historic women’s Test at Lord’s against India.
Existing central 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)
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey)
New one-year central contracts:
Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)
Maia Bouchier (Hampshire)
Alice Capsey (Surrey)
Sophia Dunkley (Surrey)
Lauren Filer (Durham)
Mahika Gaur (Lancashire)
Danielle Gibson (Somerset)
Sarah Glenn (Yorkshire)
Freya Kemp (Hampshire)
Linsey Smith (Hampshire)
New skills contracts:
Em Arlott (Warwickshire)
Emma Lamb (Lancashire)
Ryana Macdonald-Gay (Surrey)
Issy Wong (Warwickshire)