Arlott and Wong awarded England Skills contract for 2025/26

Em Arlott and Issy Wong have been awarded Skills Contracts with England for 2025/26 following an excellent summer with the Bears and international side.

England Women’s Skills Contracts are given to promising players to offer additional support and aid their ongoing development.

Arlott’s early-season performances, including her maiden professional century against Essex (130 off 141 balls) in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, earned her a call-up to the England squads, where she made her WT20I and WODI debut against the West Indies in May.

Arlott’s performances for England also secured her place on the plane for the Women’s ODI World Cup in the Autumn, where she featured in the rain-affected game against Pakistan.

Wong’s early-season form earned her a recall to the England side, and she was at her best in the inaugural Women’s Vitality Blast T20 Finals Day, first hitting 59 and then taking 4-14 as the Bears beat the Blaze to move on to the final.

Below is the ECB’s full press release.

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced 17 full England Women’s Central Contracts and four Skills contracts for 2025/26.

Ten players have received new one-year contracts, with seven players in the second year of their current terms.

Em Arlott and Emma Lamb have been awarded Skills Contracts for the first time, while Linsey Smith earns her first full Central Contract.

Existing Contracts
(Entering year 2 of 2)
Lauren Bell
Charlie Dean
Sophie Ecclestone
Heather Knight
Amy Jones
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Danni Wyatt-Hodge

New One-Year Contracts
Tammy Beaumont
Maia Bouchier
Alice Capsey
Sophia Dunkley
Lauren Filer
Mahika Gaur
Danielle Gibson
Sarah Glenn
Freya Kemp
Linsey Smith

New Skills Contracts
Em Arlott
Emma Lamb
Ryana Macdonald-Gay
Issy Wong

Managing Director of England Women, Clare Connor, said: “It’s an immensely exciting year ahead for England Women and the awarding of these contracts reflects our confidence in this group of players with our collective focus firmly on winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil next summer.

“Linsey Smith, Emma Lamb and Em Arlott have all made important contributions for England across the last year and these contracts are both a reward for what they have achieved and an opportunity to develop their skills further.

“Kate Cross misses out on a Central Contract after years of extraordinary service to England Women’s cricket. The door to selection is never closed on any domestic cricketer. Consistency in scoring runs and taking wickets in county cricket will always put players in a strong position to be picked in England squads.

“We’re all excited about what 2025/26 brings. Witnessing India win the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in their own country in front of their own fans is a powerful reminder of the impact that winning major events on home soil can have. The Red Roses too have provided that inspiration. So we know how huge an opportunity a home ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is for us next summer. In addition, I know our players will all be striving to be involved in a historic women’s Test match at Lord’s against India.”