Cricket Dec 07, 2025

Linsey Smith: England's left-arm spinner receives first central contract with 10 players earning new one-year deals

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Linsey Smith: England's left-arm spinner receives first central contract with 10 players earning new one-year deals

Left-arm spinner Linsey Smith has received her first full England women's central contract for 2025-26.

The 30-year-old is among 17 players who have received full central contracts, with 10 players receiving new one-year contracts and seven players in the second year of their current terms.

Smith made her one-day international debut in May and featured during this year's World Cup campaign in India.

Four players have been awarded a skills contract, with Em Arlott and Emma Lamb getting their first, joined by Ryana Macdonald-Gay and Issy Wong.

Kate Cross, who has taken more than 100 wickets across all formats for England and has led the attack since Katherine Sciver-Brunt's retirement in 2023, opened up about

The 33-year-old pace bowler found out about the decision on the eve of the Women's Hundred in August and said it was the "toughest week of her career".

"Kate Cross misses out on a Central Contract after years of extraordinary service to England Women's cricket," said Clare Connor, Managing Director of England Women.

"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.

"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.

"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.

"The Red Roses too have provided that inspiration. So we know how huge an opportunity a home ICC Women's T20 World Cup is for us next summer.

"In addition, I know our players will all be striving to be involved in a historic women's Test match at Lord's against India."

(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)

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)

Em Arlott (Warwickshire)

Emma Lamb (Lancashire)

Ryana Macdonald-Gay (Surrey)

Issy Wong (Warwickshire)

Tags:

cricket news id:13478881

Share this article

Related Posts

T20 Blast: Sam Curran and James Coles look to build on impressive seasons, Tammy Beaumont and Davina Perrin make England cases

T20 Blast: Sam Curran and James Coles look to build on impressive seasons, Tammy Beaumont and Davina Perrin make England cases

The T20 Blast is here - and 18 teams kick off their campaign on Friday.The men's tournament is set to feature a plethora of stars old and new looking...

England vs New Zealand: White Ferns level ODI series with 17-run win in rain-soaked Cardiff

England vs New Zealand: White Ferns level ODI series with 17-run win in rain-soaked Cardiff

England missed out on a series victory over New Zealand as the tourists won a rain-affected third ODI in Cardiff by 17 runs via DLS to level the serie...

England 'settling nicely' ahead of Women's T20 World Cup - but bigger test to come in India series

England 'settling nicely' ahead of Women's T20 World Cup - but bigger test to come in India series

First job done for England as they work through their pre-T20 World Cup checklist.secured a seventh straight bilateral T20 series victory over New Zea...

Ben Stokes: Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton say England captain's lack of matches leads to 'too much tinkering'

Ben Stokes: Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton say England captain's lack of matches leads to 'too much tinkering'

Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton have called for England captain Ben Stokes to avoid 'too much tinkering' in the nets by playing more competitive m...

County Championship: Yorkshire inflict Surrey's first defeat of the season with dominant victory

County Championship: Yorkshire inflict Surrey's first defeat of the season with dominant victory

Yorkshire wrapped up an impressive win by an innings and 127 runs at Headingley as Surrey slumped to their first defeat of the season in Division One...

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Free live cricket stream of all England, Scotland, Ireland games and final on Sky Sports App

Women's T20 World Cup 2026: Free live cricket stream of all England, Scotland, Ireland games and final on Sky Sports App

Your Site will make all 12 group matches involving England, Scotland and Ireland, as well as the semi-finals and final of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 Wor...