ECB central contract for Minety all-rounder Fran Wilson

The versatile middle-order batter was selected as an 18-year-old back in 2010 but only cemented her place in the England set-up in 2016.

Since then, Wilson has been a mainstay at international level and has been rewarded with another contract.

The women’s team will begin the summer with their first Test match against India in more than seven years, followed by six white-ball games against India before New Zealand arrive for three T20s and five one-day internationals.

This year will also be the first full domestic summer since the England and Wales Cricket Board decided to offer professional deals to 41 players as part of regional hubs to boost competition for places at the top level.

The others to receive contracts from the ECB are Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Freya Davies, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Glenn, Katie George, Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Danni Wyatt and first-time recipient Sophia Dunkley.

Director of England Women’s cricket, Jonathan Finch, said: “We’re pleased to confirm a strong group of centrally contracted England Women’s cricketers ahead of a really exciting two years for Lisa (Keightley), Heather and the team.

“The central contracts, along with the roll out of professional women’s domestic contracts, provide a fantastic opportunity to develop a larger pool of players pushing for selection and help strive for success on the field for England Women.

“We’ve continued to work closely with the England Women’s Player Partnership (EWPP) and the PCA to establish a comprehensive and objective process that underpins the awarding of central contracts.

“We will keep working in collaboration for the benefit of the players as we continue to grow and develop the professional women’s game.”

The contracts run from May 1, 2021 to October 31, 2022 to align with the professional deals at the eight regional sides.