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Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson have been handed their first central contracts by the England and Wales Cricket Board.<\/p>\n
England Women have once again issued 18 full-time deals, with the retired Katherine Sciver-Brunt and the dropped Freya Davies the only omissions from last year\u2019s list.<\/p>\n
Bouchier is rewarded following a season that ended with her cracking a career-best 95 against Sri Lanka in the final ODI of the campaign, while Gibson made her debut in the T20 leg of this summer\u2019s Ashes contest.<\/p>\n
Issy Wong remains in the group despite a difficult year that saw high expectations meet mixed form on the field.<\/p>\n
In addition, supplementary development contracts have been handed to rising stars Mahika Gaur, Lauren Filer and Bess Heath, all of whom broke into the international setup over the summer.<\/p>\n
While the men\u2019s side moved recently to a system of multi-year contracts, with several leading players tied into two and three-year arrangements, the women\u2019s squad remains on 12-month agreements.<\/p>\n
Yet the ECB has announced that the terms include \u201csignificant structural improvements\u201d as well as increased bonuses for victories over the strongest opposition and the previously-announced upgrade to match fees, which are now equal with the men\u2019s team.<\/p>\n
After a record-breaking Ashes summer, we have a really exciting 12 months of cricket ahead<\/p>\n
England director of women\u2019s cricket, Jonathan Finch said: \u201cMaia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson have been part of our group over the summer, have performed well and will be important players for England moving forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe introduction of development contracts is a key step for us and allows us to support a wider group of players in their ongoing development and we will work closely with the regions to manage the players\u2019 development and workloads.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter a record-breaking Ashes summer, 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 and the ICC Women\u2019s T20 World Cup.\u201d<\/p>\n
England conclude their 2023 calendar on tour in India, with three T20s at Mumbai\u2019s storied Wankhede Stadium this week followed by a one-off Test at the DY Patil Stadium.<\/p>\n
For many, including Sarah Glenn, it is a first chance to experience cricket in India, where England last toured in 2019.<\/p>\n
As a leg-spinner, Glenn is particularly keen to explore her game in a nation that has produced some of the finest slow bowlers ever.<\/p>\n
Speaking ahead of Wednesday\u2019s series opener, Glenn said: \u201cI\u2019m really excited. I\u2019ve never played in India before or in front of Indian crowds, so it\u2019s something new for me.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s something I\u2019ve always looked forward to and wanted to be part of.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis tour is more than just games, it\u2019s a chance to develop my game here, learn off others with how they go about it and see where I can take my spin bowling.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m always looking to improve, so I\u2019ll have a play around with it and see what is the best way to take wickets.\u201d<\/p>\n