Gaur and Filer awarded England central contracts

Mahika Gaur (left) has made seven England appearances across all formats, with Lauren Filer (right) making 21

Fast bowlers Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer have been awarded their first England central contracts.

Gaur, 18, and Filer 23, were on development contracts last year but now join 17 other players on central contracts for 2024-25.

Captain Heather Knight, all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt and the world's number one-ranked bowled Sophie Ecclestone are among seven players to be awarded two-year deals, with the rest receiving one-year contracts.

Surrey's Ryana MacDonald-Gay has received a development contract for the first time, while all-rounder Emma Lamb and seamer Tash Farrant have lost their deals.

Central contracts are awarded to those players who are expected to play an active role in England selection, whilst development contracts are in place for high-potential players who the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) want to help advance.

"We are delighted that Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer have transitioned on to full contracts, having been part of our group over the past year," said managing director of England women's cricket Clare Connor.

"Ryana MacDonald-Gay has had an outstanding year, and the development contract affords her the opportunity to continue to push her claim for selection."

Filer made her England debut in the sole Ashes Test against Australia in June 2023 while Gaur, who previously represented United Arab Emirates, made her debut in a one-day international against Sri Lanka later that year.

Filer also played in that match, with both players taking three wickets in a seven-wicket win.

MacDonald-Gay made her debut for the England white-ball teams against Ireland earlier this year and is in the Test squad for the match against South Africa, which starts in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

England women central contracts 2024-25

Two-year contracts

Lauren Bell (Hampshire)

Charlie Dean (Somerset)

Sophie Ecclestone (Lancashire)

Amy Jones (The Blaze)

Heather Knight (Somerset)

Nat Sciver-Brunt (The Blaze)

Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey)

One-year contracts

Tammy Beaumont (The Blaze)

Maia Bouchier (Hampshire)

Alice Capsey (Surrey)

Kate Cross (Lancashire)

Sophia Dunkley (Surrey)

Lauren Filer (Durham)

Mahika Gaur (Lancashire)

Danielle Gibson (Somerset)

Sarah Glenn (The Blaze)

Freya Kemp (Hampshire)

England women development contracts 2024-25

Bess Heath (Durham)

Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey)

Issy Wong (Warwickshire)