The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced 17 full England Women’s Central Contracts and four Skills Contracts for the 2025/26 season, emphasising a blend of experience and exciting emerging talent as England prepares to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next summer. This latest contract list reflects not only the depth of talent across England’s women cricketers but also the ECB’s strategic focus on success on home soil and continued development of promising players.
Among the 17 full central contracts, seven players are entering the second year of their current contracts, including stalwarts such as Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Meanwhile, ten players have secured new one-year contracts, with Linsey Smith notably earning her first full central contract after consistent performances. Skills contracts have been awarded to four players, including first-time recipients Em Arlott and Emma Lamb, highlighting the ECB’s investment in players with potential to elevate England’s future squads.
Clare Connor, Managing Director of England Women, stressed the importance of this squad as England gears up for a landmark year. “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,” she remarked. Connor also acknowledged the contributions of players like Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb, and Em Arlott, pointing out that these contracts reward past achievements and foster further growth.
In a notable omission, Kate Cross missed out on a central contract after years of dedicated service. However, Connor emphasised that the door isn’t closed for any domestic player, reinforcing that consistent county performances remain a key pathway to national selection.
England Women’s Central Contracts 2025/26.
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), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey).
New One-Year 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), and Linsey Smith (Hampshire).
New Skills Contracts:
Em Arlott (Warwickshire), Emma Lamb (Lancashire), Ryana Macdonald-Gay (Surrey), and Issy Wong (Warwickshire).
England’s international calendar for 2026 includes a highly anticipated home series against New Zealand with three ODIs and three T20Is scheduled from May 10 to 25. The squad will also showcase their talents on the global stage during the 4th edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, running from January 9 to February 5. Several contracted players, including skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Lauren Bell, Sophie Ecclestone, and Linsey Smith, have been signed by prominent WPL franchises such as Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Giants, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Kate Cross’ omission headlines England Women’s Central Contracts for 2025/26!
Ten players have received new one-year contracts, with seven players in the second year of their current terms.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/HXPRx4I6bD
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 4, 2025
The WPL venues, the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, will witness some high-octane cricket as England’s players compete against the world’s best, gaining vital experience ahead of the marquee ICC tournament.
The upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will be hosted by England from June 12 to July 5, 2026. This event carries added significance after India’s historic triumph in the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, won on home soil in front of roaring Indian crowds. Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, India’s maiden ICC title was a watershed moment in women’s cricket history. The emotional final at DY Patil Stadium held symbolic moments as former legends Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Anjum Chopra and many more joined in celebrating India’s first senior-level ICC crown.
As England aims to replicate such success on their home turf, Clare Connor also highlighted the historic women’s Test match slated for Lord’s against India, underscoring the growing stature of women’s Test cricket.
With a mix of seasoned leaders and fresh faces entering 2025/26, England Women’s cricket stands on the cusp of a defining season. The central contracts and skills contracts awarded by the ECB not only secure a core group but also signal a commitment to nurturing talent capable of winning major tournaments, including the one that will unfold in front of a passionate home crowd next summer.
(Quotes sourced from ECB Official Press Release).
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