2 weeks Ago
Victorian all-rounder Tess Flintoff is one step closer towards an Australian debut after being awarded her maiden national contract. On Thursday morning, Cricket Australia announced the 18 women’s players that had been offered national contracts for the 2025/26 season, headlined by a World Cup campaign in the subcontinent and a multi-format campaign against India at home. Flintoff, who represents the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League, was the only new addition in the list, while fellow young gun Georgia Voll was offered a contract having earned an upgrade last summer.
The injury-plagued duo of Sophie Molineux and Tayla Vlaeminck received contracts, along with fringe players Grace Harris and Heather Graham. Meanwhile, veteran spinner Jess Jonassen and fellow Queenslander Charli Knott missed out despite stellar performances at domestic level. FOX CRICKET, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of the 2025 Indian Premier League exclusively LIVE | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1.
Limited time offer > “Tess is an exciting young player who we can see having a long future in the green and gold,” national selector Shawn Flegler said in a statement. “Having overcome injury we’re looking forward to seeing her fit and firing throughout summer which adds further depth to our pace-bowling stocks. “Georgia has made a sensational start to her international career, showing her immense talent from the onset and playing a pivotal role for the team in the absence of Alyssa Healy at the top of the order.
“Her ability to adapt to the various formats has been impressive and will come into play with an ODI World Cup later this year and a multi-format series against India in the new year. “While Jess Jonassen has not been included on this year’s list, we’re always keeping an eye on players outside of the squad and she is no exception.” During the 2024/25 WNCL, Flintoff contributed 330 runs at 33.
00, including two fifties, along with eight wickets at 59.25. However, the 22-year-old endured a tough campaign during last summer’s WBBL, accumulating 59 runs and three wickets across nine matches.
In 2022, Flintoff cracked the fastest half-century in WBBL history, a 16-ball fifty against the Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval. Cricket Australia contracted women’s players for 2025/26 Darcie Brown Tess Flintoff Ashleigh Gardner Kim Garth Heather Graham Grace Harris Alyssa Healy Alana King Phoebe Litchfield Tahlia McGrath Sophie Molineux Beth Mooney Ellyse Perry Megan Schutt Annabel Sutherland Tayla Vlaeminck Georgia Voll Georgia Wareham.
