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

IPL squads 2026: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone among England players signed

IPL squads 2026: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone among England players signed

Here's how the Indian Premier League squads look for the 2026 season, with Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer among the 13 English players involved.Watch al...

South Africa dismissed for lowest-ever T20 total of 74 as India win series opener by 101 runs in Cuttack

South Africa dismissed for lowest-ever T20 total of 74 as India win series opener by 101 runs in Cuttack

South Africa were all out for their lowest-ever total in T20 cricket, scoring only 74 as India won the series opener by 101 runs on Tuesday.Hardik Pan...

James Anderson: Former England bowler to captain Lancashire in County Championship at age of 44 next season

James Anderson: Former England bowler to captain Lancashire in County Championship at age of 44 next season

Former England bowler Sir James Anderson has been named Lancashire's captain for next season's County Championship.The 43-year-old, England's all-time...

WBBL final: England trio shine as Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets to clinch maiden title

WBBL final: England trio shine as Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets to clinch maiden title

England trio Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Linsey Smith helped Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets to clinch their first...

IPL auction 2026: Australia's Cameron Green becomes most expensive overseas player in tournament's history

IPL auction 2026: Australia's Cameron Green becomes most expensive overseas player in tournament's history

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has become the most expensive overseas player in IPL history after being picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for $2...

Ashes hopeful Jacob Bethell hits 71 and Asa Tribe a century but England Lions thumped by Australia A in Brisbane

Ashes hopeful Jacob Bethell hits 71 and Asa Tribe a century but England Lions thumped by Australia A in Brisbane

Jacob Bethell's 71 was one of the few highlights for the Lions as England's second-string suffered a thumping innings defeat to Australia A in the uno...