Linsey Smith earns her first England Central Contract

Linsey Smith earns her first England Central Contract as she achieves her full-circle moment in international cricket.

Linsey Smith achieves full-circle moment with first England central contract.

Linsey Smith has received her inaugural full central contract with England Women, seven years after making her international debut, while Em Arlott and Emma Lamb have been handed skills contracts for the first time.

On the list of 17 complete contracts for 2025-26 issued by the ECB, a total of 10 players received one-year deals with a further seven entering the subsequent year of their current two-year commitments.

Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, and Freya Kemp have all signed one-year contracts with Smith.

There were no shocks on the list with Kate Cross, England’s long-serving seam bowler, missing out, having stated in September that she was told her contract would not be renewed following an international career spanning nearly 12 years.

In reacting on Cross’s exclusion on Wednesday, Clare Connor, managing director of England Women, said “the door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer” but Cross is yet to make any declaration on her overall playing future.

“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.

“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.

“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.”