NEWS: Bell, Capsey, Kemp, Dean, Lamb & Wong Earn First England Contracts

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Six players – Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Freya Kemp, Emma Lamb and Issy Wong – have all earned their first England contracts in the biggest shake-up to the squad since professional contracts arrived in 2014.

Emma Lamb and Charlie Dean both made their debuts against New Zealand last September, with Lauren Bell and Issy Wong following in the Test versus South Africa this summer, whilst Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp were first called up for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

In terms of those moving on, in addition to Fran Wilson and Anya Shrubsole who had already been released from last year’s squad after announcing their retirements, England have stepped down Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Georgia Elwiss and Katie George.

Of these four, only Winfield-Hill played for England in 2022, earning her final cap as a contracted player versus West Indies at the World Cup in March. Mady Villiers last played for England in a T20 v New Zealand in September 2021; Georgia Elwiss played in the Test against India at Bristol in June 2021, but hasn’t played a white-ball game since 2019; while Katie George was last capped in an ODI v New Zealand in July 2018.

All four will presumably step down to regional contracts (to be announced in due course), and having not formally retired there remains no reason why they couldn’t yet win further England caps down the line. Meanwhile the domestic setup will only be stronger for their presence, as the regions move closer towards full professionalism, with at least 80 players expected to be contracted to regional teams by next summer.

The full list of contracted players is below:

  • 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)
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2 thoughts on “NEWS: Bell, Capsey, Kemp, Dean, Lamb & Wong Earn First England Contracts”

  2. I can’t see that anyone would have any issues with the new 6 players coming into the England contract system. They have performed remarkably well. It is ironic though that Winfield-Hill (and also Elwiss to some extent) have played very well over the last few months (probably better than they did over the whole last few years) and are now suddenly being “stepped down” as you put it.

    I would hope that signals a greater willingness from the powers-that-be to play uncontracted players more regularly, on an ad-hoc basis depending on form and the day-by-day needs of the squad. The contracted players list still doesn’t have full redundancy for all positions – i.e. a back-up or reserve for every player role. The list will not fully foster competitiveness for every player. The list is still short of a couple of batters especially, and although well served for pace bowling it is short of another spinner and a dedicated wicket-keeping reserve who can be understudy to Jones. It’s vital that other uncontracted in-form batters are kept in or around the squads.

    Without sometimes bringing in players from outside this group, the squad will once again be most likely stymied, in tough times, by a lack of form or flexibility when England most need it. This shortcoming was brought sharply into focus in September’s poor ODI series performances against India.

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