The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that 18 players have been awarded new England Women’s central contracts.
Alongside an increase in the value of the contracts, which will come into effect from 1 February 2017, the next wave of England Women’s contracts will also, for the first time, include the introduction of two-year contracts, plus a new level of rookie contract.
ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor said: “The awarding of two-year contracts represents another significant step forward in the professionalisation of the women’s game in this country.
“The global women’s game is evolving rapidly, and in order to ensure that professional cricket continues to be an attractive career option for talented female athletes, it’s important that we continue to properly invest in our players.
“The ECB is fully committed to the goal of supporting the England women’s team to become the world’s number one team. The pay increase and introduction of two-year contracts will give our players greater financial security and ensure they can be fully focused on the challenges that lie ahead, including the ICC Women’s World Cup on home soil next summer.”
England Women’s Head Coach, Mark Robinson, added: “The women’s game is growing at a real pace, but still doesn’t have the financial security that the men’s county game offers a player from the England men’s team in the event that they lose their ECB central contract.
“We have a big couple of years coming up and it’s important that the players can look forward with some degree of certainty to focus on performing in those competitions.
“Congratulations to Alex Hartley and Beth Langston on being awarded ECB contracts for the first time. Alex has been given a full central contract: her performances against the West Indies in the Caribbean were outstanding and testament to the hard work that she put in over the last 18 months.
“I’m also happy to confirm that we have offered Sarah Taylor a new contract. Sarah is doing really well with her return to cricket plan after taking some time away from the game for health reasons. Her aim has always been to be back playing and available for selection for the World Cup next summer, and we’ll continue to offer her the support she needs to achieve that goal.”
| Name | County / Kia Super League team | |
| 1 | Tammy Beaumont | Kent / Surrey Stars |
| 2 | Katherine Brunt | Yorkshire / Yorkshire Diamonds |
| 3 | Kate Cross | Lancashire / Lancashire Thunder |
| 4 | Georgia Elwiss | Sussex / Loughborough Lightning |
| 5 | Natasha Farrant | Kent / Southern Vipers |
| 6 | Jenny Gunn | Warwickshire / Yorkshire Diamonds |
| 7 | Alex Hartley | Middlesex / Surrey Stars |
| 8 | Danielle Hazell | Yorkshire / Yorkshire Diamonds |
| 9 | Amy Jones | Warwickshire / Loughborough Lightning |
| 10 | Heather Knight | Berkshire / Western Storm |
| 11 | Beth Langston (rookie contract) | Yorkshire / Loughborough Lightning |
| 12 | Laura Marsh | Kent / Surrey Stars |
| 13 | Natalie Sciver | Surrey / Surrey Stars |
| 14 | Anya Shrubsole | Somerset / Western Storm |
| 15 | Sarah Taylor | Sussex / Lancashire Thunder |
| 16 | Fran Wilson | Middlesex / Western Storm |
| 17 | Lauren Winfield | Yorkshire / Yorkshire Diamonds |
| 18 | Danielle Wyatt | Sussex / Lancashire Thunder |
Derby will host eight ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 fixtures next summer – and 2017 Members will be able to purchase tickets at a special discounted price.
Join your county cricket club today. The Club has reduced its price and simplified its categories to offer one single Club Membership at only £139 if purchased before 1 February Early Bird deadline.
