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

Women's T20 World Cup final: Nasser Hussain says Australia ahead of everyone else but England were 'too timid' during Lord's loss

Women's T20 World Cup final: Nasser Hussain says Australia ahead of everyone else but England were 'too timid' during Lord's loss

Your Site' Nasser Hussain reflects on Australia's record-extending seventh Women's T20 World Cup title and where things went wrong for England as they...

England vs India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, makes history as youngest ever India debutant in loss at Old Trafford - how it happened

England vs India: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, 15, makes history as youngest ever India debutant in loss at Old Trafford - how it happened

Jacob Bethell's swashbuckling 76no may have fired England to an impressive four-wicket victory over India, but the headlines from Old Trafford were st...

England vs India: Zak Crawley left out for of squad for ODI series as James Coles set for 50-over debut

England vs India: Zak Crawley left out for of squad for ODI series as James Coles set for 50-over debut

Former England opener Zak Crawley has been left out of England's 16-man squad for the three-match ODI series against India.The Kent batter was include...

Women's T20 World Cup final: England 'outplayed' by Australia but find positives from strong campaign on home soil

Women's T20 World Cup final: England 'outplayed' by Australia but find positives from strong campaign on home soil

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt admitted her side were "outplayed" but can be proud of their runner-up finish to Australia at the ICC Women’s T20 Wor...

Vitality Blast 2026: Updates and video from T20 competition, with Somerset the defending men's champions

Vitality Blast 2026: Updates and video from T20 competition, with Somerset the defending men's champions

Devine having medical ahead of Preston switchLatest from Your Site News' Michael Bridge:Tottenham youngster Alfie Devine is having a medical with...

Test matches, Champions Trophy, Ashes series - when are the next big events in women's cricket?

Test matches, Champions Trophy, Ashes series - when are the next big events in women's cricket?

Following Australia's seven-wicket win over England in the T20 World Cup final at Lord's, here is what is coming up in women's cricket…History will be...