The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday (December 13) announced updated central contracts for women in England. Mahika Gower and Lauren Weiler have been handed full contracts for next year.
The ECB have handed 17 players full contracts. Of these, the likes of Heather Knight, Sophie Ecclestone, Nat Schaefer-Brunt and Dani White-Hodge were given two-year contracts while 10 players such as Tammy Beaumont, Maya Bouchier and Alice Kapsi were given two-year contracts. Year contracts.
The European Central Bank also offered three development contracts
Aside from the central contracts, the ECB also offered three development contracts to Rhianna Macdonald Guy, Essie Wong and Peace Heath. All the players will be keen to make an impact through the upcoming crucial tournaments in the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) edition.
Women's Cricket Executive Director Clare Connor spoke about central contracts, saying they have offered contracts to players they feel will play an important role for England. He also expressed his happiness with Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer moving on to full contracts.
Clare Connor also spoke about development contracts, saying she would work with all players and their counties to ensure player growth. He talked about the same thing and explained:
“As always, we have awarded central contracts to players who we feel will play an important role for England for the foreseeable future. We are delighted that Mahika Gower and Lauren Weiler have moved up to full contracts, having been part of our group in the past year.
“Rhianna McDonald-Guy has had a fantastic year, and the development contract gives her the opportunity to continue to push her claim for selection. We look forward to working with all three players on their development contracts and their counties to ensure their continued development.”
We have another important period in cricket ahead of us – Clare Connor
Clare Connor also spoke about the next few events, claiming that the players who have been offered contracts have the skills to succeed in all conditions and formats. He explained:
“We have another important period of cricket ahead of us and we believe this group of players have the skills to succeed in all conditions and formats which will be essential as we look forward to a two-year period that includes the Women's Ashes in early 2025, multiple bilateral series, and the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India.” , and the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in the summer of 2026.
Speaking about the pay rise, Clare Connor said it had been another historic year for women's cricket. He also expressed his gratitude to the England Women's Players Partnership (EWPP) and PCA for their support. He added:
“This is another historic year in terms of wage increases for England Women. We have been able to achieve another significant increase in the value of central contracts on the back of equal international match fees for men and women last year across all formats.
“We continue to work positively with the England Women’s Players Partnership (EWPP) and the PCA and are grateful for their support and challenge on these matters.”
Complete list of England Women's Central contracts
Two-year central contracts: Lauren Bell, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Nat Seaver-Brent, Danny White-Hodge
One-year central contracts: Tammy Beaumont, Maya Boshier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Weiler, Mahika Gaur, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glynn, Freya Kemp
Skills/development contracts: Bess Heath, Rhianna Macdonald Jay, Essie Wong
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