England Central Contracts Awarded to Fast Bowlers Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer

Fast bowlers Mahika Gaur and Lauren Filer have received their initial central contracts with England. Gaur has participated in seven England matches across various formats, while Filer has made 21 appearances. Gaur, aged 18, and Filer, aged 23, held development contracts in the previous year but have now been added to the 2024-25 central contracts list, which includes 17 other athletes. Seven players, including Captain Heather Knight, all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Sophie Ecclestone, who is ranked as the world’s top bowler, have been granted two-year agreements. The remaining players have been given one-year contracts. Ryana MacDonald-Gay of Surrey has been awarded a development contract for the first time. Conversely, all-rounder Emma Lamb and seamer Tash Farrant have not had their contracts renewed. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) issues central contracts to athletes anticipated to be actively involved in England’s selection process. Development contracts are provided to promising players whom the ECB aims to support in their progression. Clare Connor, the managing director of England women’s cricket, stated, “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.” She added, “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’s first appearance for England was in the single Ashes Test match against Australia in June 2023. Gaur, who previously played for the United Arab Emirates, debuted in a one-day international versus Sri Lanka later in the same year. Filer also participated in that specific match, where both athletes secured three wickets, contributing to a seven-wicket victory. MacDonald-Gay first played for England’s white-ball teams against Ireland earlier this year. She is currently part of the Test squad for the upcoming match against South Africa, scheduled to commence in Bloemfontein on Sunday. The players awarded two-year contracts are: 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) Those receiving one-year contracts include: 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) Bess Heath (Durham) Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Surrey) Issy Wong (Warwickshire)