Tash Farrant awarded England Women central contract

The South East Stars and Kent bowler enjoyed a successful 2021 season, returning to England’s T20I and ODI sides as well as winning The Hundred with Oval Invincibles

Tash Farrant has been awarded an England Women central contract for the 2022 season.

The 25-year-old South East Stars and Kent bowler enjoyed a successful 2021 season, returning to England’s T20I XI after a three-year absence and the ODI side over seven years after she received her first cap.

In four ODIs against New Zealand, Farrant took four wickets, including best figures of 2 for 31 in Christchurch in March. She collected a further four wickets in four T20Is against the same opponents.

Domestically, the fast bowler enjoyed considerable success, winning the Vitality Women’s County T20 South East Group with Kent, the Charlotte Edwards Cup with South East Stars, and The Hundred with Oval Invincibles. Representing the latter side, Farrant took a tournament-leading 18 wickets in nine innings.

In total, Farrant took 42 wickets at an average of 14.11 in 24 matches across all formats in 2021.

She is the 17th player to receive a central contract from England Women for the upcoming season, with the contract running until October 31, 2022. Her regional contract with South East Stars will be awarded to another player in the squad.

^{Farrant in action for Oval Invincibles (left); celebrating a wicket for England (right)}

Commenting on receiving a central contract, Farrant said: "I’m really pleased to have been awarded a central contract - I’ve worked hard to continue to improve my game and been lucky to have an amazing support network; especially Scott Boswell, Lydia Greenway and everyone at South East Stars around me to help get me to this point.

"This now means I’m in a position to work and train even harder with the team as we head into an Ashes and World Cup year."

South East Stars’ director of regional women’s cricket, Richard Bedbrook, added: "Everyone at the South East Stars is delighted to hear the news that Tash has become the newest recipient of an England central contract.

"In the two years of being with the Stars, Tash has influenced the environment significantly with her competitive spirit, high standards and genuine care for her teammates and support staff.

"We felt it was only a matter of time before international honours resumed for Tash and being that she has been a part of each England series in 2021, we are proud for her now to move back into an England contract and continue to make an impact on the England team and performances in the future."