Surrey’s teenage superstar Alice Capsey has been awarded her first England Central Contract.
Capsey is joined by Surrey and South East Stars team-mate Sophia Dunkley as well Tash Farrant and Freya Davies, also of the South East Stars, in the new cohort of players with Central Contracts.
Capsey, who has been part of the Surrey Age Group set up since the age of nine, had another stellar season, scoring runs and taking wickets for the South East Stars and the Oval Invincibles. Capsey scored over 570 runs and took more than 20 wickets in the domestic game this year.
The all-rounder, who is currently playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash, got her first England call up in July as England took on South Africa in a T20 series. She earnt herself a spot in England’s Commonwealth Games side, batting at number three as the side reached the semi-final.
Sophia Dunkley has continued to excel this year and has solidified her spot in England’s middle-order in all formats. Dunkley scored her first international century against South Africa, helping England to a 114-run ODI victory over South Africa.
South East Stars fast-bowling pair Tash Farrant, from Kent Cricket, and Freya Davies, from Sussex, have also received Central Contracts. Davies has been a consistent part of the England side this summer, whilst the experienced Farrant has had injury issues this summer but showed her quality in getting back into the England set up in 2021.
In total, eighteen contracts have been awarded. Six players have been awarded their first England Women Central Contract: Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb and Issy Wong.
It’s the first cycle in which the England Women Central Contracts have run from 1 November, in order to align with the professional contracts in the women’s regional game.
Increased investment in the women’s regional game means from 1 February 2023 there will be at least 98 professional women’s cricketers in England and Wales, 18 Centrally Contracted England Women’s players and 80 ECB-funded professional players in the regional game.
Director of England Women’s Cricket Jonathan Finch said: “It’s great to be able to share the list of Centrally Contracted England Women’s cricketers for the next 12 months, and huge congratulations to all those who have earned their contract. Introducing six new names on to the list of contracted players is exciting and provides a new look and feel to the group.
“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, the Women’s Ashes 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 in representing the international players during our ongoing discussions.”
Full list of Central Contracted players
Tammy Beaumont (Lightning)
Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)
Katherine Brunt (Northern Diamonds)
Alice Capsey (South East Stars)
Kate Cross (Thunder)
Freya Davies (South East Stars)
Charlie Dean (Southern Vipers)
Sophia Dunkley (South East Stars)
Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder)
Tash Farrant (South East Stars)
Sarah Glenn (Central Sparks)
Amy Jones (Central Sparks)
Freya Kemp (Southern Vipers)
Heather Knight (Western Storm)
Emma Lamb (Thunder)
Nat Sciver (Northern Diamonds)
Issy Wong (Central Sparks)
Danni Wyatt (Southern Vipers)
