SOMERSET captain Anya Shrubsole is one of 19 players to be awarded central contract by the ECB on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old, who made her England debut in 2008, is the only Somerset player to be contracted and says she is looking forward to a busy 12 month schedule.

She said: “Its great to have been awarded another central contract by the ECB and I am delighted.

“Last year I had a pretty successful season with England on a personal level but with the obvious disappointment of losing the Ashes to Australia, and for Somerset who won promotion back to top division.

“This coming year looks like being even busier with a tour to South Africa in the spring then the World T20 out in India.

“We have also got tours to Sri Lanka and West Indies and of course a home series against Pakistan- with one of the games at Taunton, where I always love playing.”

Anya has played in four Test Matches, 31 One Day Internationals and 36 T20 Internationals for England since 2008.

ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, 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 2016 when they travel to South Africa for a three match ODI series and three match Twenty20 International series.

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