KATE Cross faces a punishing winter’s training schedule ahead with England as she works towards a place on the touring party to New Zealand in February.

The Walshaw bowler, as expected, was included in England’s elite winter training squad last week after being awarded a central contract.

And despite the hard work that lies ahead, Clare Connor, ECB’s head of England women’s cricket, believes all of the current set-up are in an enviable position.

“The ground-breaking decision by the ECB Board to award 18 contracts to England women’s players was clearly significant for those individuals involved,” she said.

“However, it also signalled the dawning of a fully professional era giving players on the England women’s pathway a very exciting goal to which they can aspire and work towards.

“The scope of opportunities now available to talented young female cricketers is greater than ever, and the winter training programmes that will be delivered over the next six months are pioneering in the global women’s game.

“It is this structure that will allow players to seamlessly move through the pathway and give them every chance of performing when they get their chance in an England shirt.”

England women are due to play a five-match one-day international series and three-match international Twenty20 series in New Zealand next year, with the touring party due to be announced in the new year.