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

Sri Lanka vs England, third T20: Harry Brook's side clinch 3-0 series sweep ahead of T20 World Cup

Sri Lanka vs England, third T20: Harry Brook's side clinch 3-0 series sweep ahead of T20 World Cup

Pep's quip at Man City spending in transfer window - 'I'm a bit grumpy!'Pep Guardiola joked that he doesn't know why Manchester City haven't spent mor...

England men cricket fixtures and results 2026: T20 World Cup, plus games vs India, Pakistan, New Zealand and more

England men cricket fixtures and results 2026: T20 World Cup, plus games vs India, Pakistan, New Zealand and more

Full fixtures for England's men's side in 2026, including the T20 World Cup and home white-ball series against India.All times UK and Ireland 🕰️

Sam Curran eyeing key role for England at T20 World Cup after player-of-the-tournament display during 2022 win

Sam Curran eyeing key role for England at T20 World Cup after player-of-the-tournament display during 2022 win

Sam Curran is dreaming of a 2022 repeat as England look to win a second T20 World Cup in three events.Curran was player of the tournament when England...

Sam Curran takes hat-trick as England beat Sri Lanka in first T20 international for 1-0 lead in three-match series

Sam Curran takes hat-trick as England beat Sri Lanka in first T20 international for 1-0 lead in three-match series

Sam Curran became the second England bowler to take a hat-trick in men's T20 internationals as his side beat Sri Lanka by 11 runs on DLS in a rain-red...

T20 World Cup: Pakistan to boycott Group A fixture against India following Bangladesh's withdrawal from tournament

T20 World Cup: Pakistan to boycott Group A fixture against India following Bangladesh's withdrawal from tournament

Pakistan will ‌boycott their game against India in this month's T20​ World Cup.Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi said last week that the te...

India and Pakistan win series ahead of T20 World Cup from February 7 -a tournament live in full on Sky Sports

India and Pakistan win series ahead of T20 World Cup from February 7 -a tournament live in full on Sky Sports

India and Pakistan are celebrating series victories ahead of the T20 World Cup, beating New Zealand and Australia respectively before February's big e...