ECB central contracts: Linsey Smith among 17 players to earn full contracts for 2025-26

Hampshire’s Linsey Smith is among 17 players to have received full England women’s central contracts for 2025-26.

Left-arm spinner Smith, 30, has earned her first central contract after playing in a combined 34 one-day and T20 internationals for England.

Four players have been awarded a skills contract, with Em Arlott and Emma Lamb both given their first.

In a change from last year, and their male counterparts, England’s women have opted not to extend any of their players on two-year deals.

Ten players have received new one-year contracts, with seven players entering the second year of their current terms.

Bowler Kate Cross, 34, revealed in September that she would lose her central contract and is the only player to lose her full deal.

Clare Connor, managing director of England women, said Cross had provided “years of extraordinary service” to the women’s game and that “the door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer”.

England, who were knocked out of the Women’s World Cup semi-finals in a 125-run defeat by South Africa in October, will host next year’s T20 World Cup.

Connor said: “It’s an immensely exciting year ahead for England women and the awarding of these contracts reflects our confidence in this group of players with our collective focus firmly on winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil next summer.

“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.”