ECB releases 18-player list for England women’s team central contracts, Mahika Gaur gets developmental deal

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has recently updated its central contract list for the 2023-24 season, introducing two promising talents to the fold. Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson have been awarded their inaugural England Women Central Contracts, which are set to extend until the 31st of October, 2024. These additions bring the total number of centrally contracted women players to eighteen.

In a strategic move to nurture emerging talent, the ECB has also allocated development contracts to a trio of players who have made significant strides in their cricketing careers. Bowlers Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer, alongside wicketkeeper-batter Bess Heath, have earned these contracts by demonstrating their potential and successfully integrating into the senior team.

This year’s contract announcements come with notable changes from the previous season. Freya Davies finds herself without a contract following a period of underperformance at the international level. Additionally, the cricket community bids farewell to Katherine Sciver-Brunt, who has decided to hang up her boots and retire from the sport.

Jonathan Finch, the Director of England Women’s Cricket, expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming busy schedule of international cricket. He emphasized that the contracted group of players is well-suited to meet the demands of the multi-format series that lie ahead.

“The Central Contracts are awarded to the players we feel will play a significant role over the next 12 months and beyond. We are at the start of an unprecedented busy period of international cricket and the group reflects the requirements of the multi-format schedule we face.

“Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson have been part of our group over the summer, have performed well, and will be important players for England moving forward,” read the statement on ECB’s website.

Finch also said a keen eye will be kept on the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

“After a record-breaking Ashes summer, we have a really exciting 12 months of cricket ahead and we feel this group of players will form the foundations of our side that will take us through various bilateral series, and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.”

England Women centrally contracted list: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong, and Danni Wyatt.

England Women development contract list: Bess Heath, Lauren Filer, and Mahika Gaur.