Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson handed maiden England central contracts as Freya Davies misses out

As previously reported by The Cricketer, Bess Heath, Lauren Filer and Mahika Gaur have been all given development deals for 2023/24, while Tash Farrant remains on the main list despite being sidelined with successive stress fractures in her back

Nick Howson | 04/12/2023 at 14:35

Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson are the new recipients of England central contracts after being included on an 18-strong list for the 2023/24 cycle.

As previously reported by The Cricketer, Bess Heath, Lauren Filer and Mahika Gaur, who each made their international debut in 2023, have been handed the first set of development contracts.

Katherine Sciver-Brunt drops off the list following her retirement making Freya Davies is the only active player omitted having had a deal for 2022/23. Not involved in any capacity for the India tour, Davies only played twice for England this year, against Pakistan at the World Cup and the first T20I against Australia.

Tash Farrant, who hasn't made an international appearance since February 2022 due to suffering successive stress fractures in her back, is included as her return to full fitness continues.

The deals, which run until October 31, 2024, are reflective of which players the ECB believe will feature over the next 12 months, which begins with the tour of India, continues next summer with home series against Pakistan and New Zealand, and culminates with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

The agreements follow negotiations between England Women's Player Partnership and the PCA and include breakthroughs around enhanced family provision entitlement, an improved bonus structure, increased retainers and the equalisation of match fees with England men.

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^{Davies misses out on a deal after her limited involvement this year (MARCO LONGARI/AFP via Getty Images)}

"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," director of England women's cricket Jonathan Finch said.

"The introduction of development contracts is a key step for us and allows us to support a wider group of players in their ongoing development and we will work closely with the regions to manage the players’ development and workloads.

"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.

"Our thanks as ever go to the England Women's Player Partnership and the PCA who continue to play an important role."

Central contracts: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Danielle Gibson, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt

Development contracts: Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur, Bess Heath