The ECB has unveiled England Women’s central contracts for the 2025–26 season, awarding 17 full-time deals and four Skills contracts, but the major headline is the omission of senior fast bowler Kate Cross.
Kate Cross: The only player dropped from England women’s previous contract list
Cross, 34, who has represented England in over 100 internationals, is the only centrally contracted player from the previous cycle to miss out, signalling a strategic shift towards a younger bowling group ahead of the home T20 World Cup in 2026.
The decision, though expected, marks the end of an era. Cross had already disclosed on her podcast earlier this year that she had been informed her deal would not be renewed, shortly after she was left out of England’s 50-over World Cup squad in India. She described the news as “incredibly hard,” having been a consistent leader in England’s pace attack following the retirement of Katherine Sciver-Brunt.
ECB thanks Cross for her extraordinary services to England Cricket
Managing director Clare Connor acknowledged Cross’s contribution, praising her “years of extraordinary service,” but confirmed she would not be part of the contracted group for the upcoming season.
Connor emphasised that while the ECB is building a younger core with 2026 in sight, “the door to selection is never closed” for any domestic performer. Strong performances in regional and county cricket, she said, could still bring Cross back into contention for international squads.
Young bowlers rewarded as England reshape attack
England’s new contract list highlights a decisive investment in emerging fast-bowling talent. Linsey Smith has earned her first full central contract following an impressive year, while young seamers Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur and Danielle Gibson have all been rewarded after standout performances across the past 12 months and the CWC25 campaign.
The ECB has also issued Skills contracts to Em Arlott, Emma Lamb, Ryana Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong, all viewed as long-term prospects. These development deals sit below the full central contract tier and are intended to support the next group of bowlers and all-rounders ahead of a demanding international schedule.
Of the 17 full contracts, seven players continue into the second year of their existing deals – including captain Heather Knight, global stars Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone, wicketkeeper Amy Jones, and senior players Lauren Bell and Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
The ten new one-year contracts go to a mix of established internationals and rising stars:
Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Freya Kemp and Linsey Smith.
Connor said the 2025-26 structure reflects England’s “succession planning” as they balance experience with the need to prepare a fresh core for a home global event.
Complete list of England women’s contracts for the 2025/26 season
Existing full contracts:
Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge
New one-year full contracts:
Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Freya Kemp, Linsey Smith
New skills contracts:
Em Arlott, Emma Lamb, Ryana Macdonald-Gay, Issy Wong
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
