The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the list of centrally contracted England Women players for 2021-22. In total 17 players were awarded the contracts and it includes experienced players like Anya Shrubsole, captain Heather Knight, vice-captain Nat Sciver.
Young guns like Katie George and Sarah Glenn have retained their contracts as well. Sophia Dunkley, the South-Eastern Stars and Surrey batter and part-time leg-break bowler replaced Kristie Gordon to earn her maiden ECB Central Contract.
The contracts run from May 1, 2021, to October 31, 2022, aligning with the professional contracts that the eight Regional teams offer the women.
Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women’s Cricket hoped that the new contracts would help the team get on with the job at hand for the next two years which include two World Cups, an Ashes down under and the Commonwealth Games 2022.
“We’re pleased to confirm a strong group of Centrally Contracted England Women’s cricketers ahead of a really exciting two years for Lisa, Heather and the team,” said Finch.
“The Central Contracts, along with the roll-out of professional women’s domestic contracts, provide a fantastic opportunity to develop a larger pool of players pushing for selection and help strive for success on the field for England Women,” she added.
The first assignment for these newly contracted English players is against India Women. The two teams will fight it out in three series in three different formats, starting with a one-off Test in Bristol from June 16.
List of Centrally Contracted players
Tammy Beaumont (Lightning), Katherine Brunt (Northern Diamonds), Kate Cross (Thunder), Freya Davies (South East Stars), Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars), Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder), Georgia Elwiss (Southern Vipers), Sarah Glenn (Central Sparks), Katie George (Western Storm), Heather Knight (Western Storm), Amy Jones (Central Sparks), Nat Sciver (Northern Diamonds), Anya Shrubsole (Western Storm), Mady Villiers (Sunrisers), Fran Wilson (Sunrisers), Lauren Winfield-Hill (Northern Diamonds), Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers)