Lancashire Cricket have secured a major boost ahead of the new season, with Scotland internationals Darcey Carter and Ailsa Lister both putting pen to paper on contract extensions that will keep them at the club until the end of 2028.

The pair were instrumental in Lancashire Women's double trophy success last summer, before playing starring roles for Scotland over the winter as they booked their place at the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, a huge achievement for the associate nation.

Darcey Carter, a spin-bowling all-rounder, joined Lancashire permanently from Kent ahead of the 2025 season after a brief loan spell at Emirates Old Trafford in 2024. Since then, the 20-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Red Rose, including the Metro Bank One-Day Cup final against Hampshire at the Utilita Bowl.

On the international stage, Carter has been a key figure for Scotland, featuring 48 times across ODIs and T20Is. She's taken 27 wickets with her clever spin and has chipped in with eight half-centuries, including a best of 86 in the 50-over format.

Ailsa Lister, a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter known for her explosive power at the crease, joined Lancashire ahead of the 2024 season. After an injury-hit first year, the now 21-year-old bounced back in style last summer, earning the club's Young Player of the Year award for 2025.

Her numbers tell the story: in last season's Vitality Blast, she scored 281 runs in 13 innings at an average above 35. In the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, she added 220 runs from 10 innings at 26, crucially hitting the winning runs in the final.

For Scotland, Lister has played 63 matches across both white-ball formats, scoring 931 runs with four T20I half-centuries to her name.

Lancashire's Head of Women's Cricket, Chris Benbow, couldn't hide his delight:

"Darcey and Ailsa are two of the most exciting young players in the country, and we're absolutely thrilled to have secured their futures with Lancashire through to 2028. Last season was hugely positive for both of them. They embraced the step up to regular senior cricket, made meaningful contributions at different points during the campaign, and showed they have the temperament and skillset to succeed at this level.

"What's been particularly impressive is how they've translated that form onto the international stage. To play such key roles in helping Scotland qualify for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup is a fantastic achievement, and they've both returned to us excited and hungry for the season ahead."