WALSHAW-born cricketer Kate Cross has been awarded a central contract by England for next season.

The Lancashire Thunder bowler, who is currently playing for Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash in Australia, has made 18 appearances for England in Tests, one-day internationals and T20 cricket.

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that 19 players from the England Women’s Performance Programme have been awarded new central contracts for 2016-2017.

Clare Connor, ECB’s director of England Women’s Cricket, said: “The women’s game continues to develop and move forward at an extraordinary pace and today’s announcement confirms professional cricket to be an attractive career choice for talented female athletes.

“Next year will be the busiest ever 12 months for England women under newly appointed head coach, Mark Robinson, with overseas tours to South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka, the ICC World Twenty20 in India, plus a home series against Pakistan.

"The awarding of central contracts ensures that the squad will be as best prepared and supported as possible for each of those contests.”

England women will next be in action in February when they will travel to South Africa to play a three match one-day international series and three match Twenty20 international series.

The England women’s squad for the tour will be announced early next year.

Before then, Cross will be hoping to help Brisbane to the Big Bash final, which will take place at the end of January.