CHRISTMAS has come early for Scarborough’s Leah Dobson, who has penned a new one-year contract extension with Northern Diamonds.

She is among four players - alongside Katie Levick, Emma Marlow and Phoebe Turner - to have committed their futures to the Diamonds, whilst England Under 19s international Lizzie Scott has signed her first contract with the club.

Dobson, 22, penned her first deal with the Diamonds ahead of the 2023 season after catching the eye with a strong middle-order performance as they lifted the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Lord’s in 2022.

She become a mainstay in their squad last season, and has scored over 500 runs in her 36 appearances across all formats since making her debut in 2021.

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The Scarborough star, who has progressed through the Yorkshire set-up since Under 13 level, played 17 matches for the Diamonds last term across the RHFT and Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Her standout was a maiden List A half-century, in which she scored an unbeaten 68 against Western Storm.

Away from the Diamonds, Dobson played five matches for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred as they finished runners’ up in this year’s competition.

Over the off-season, she has enjoyed a productive few months with the Gold Coast Dolphins.

Taking on an all-around role, her last three innings - dating back to late November - have seen her open the batting across both T20 and 50-over cricket with scores of 57, 39 and 30.

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“I’m delighted that we have secured these new contracts ahead of next season,” Diamonds head coach Dani Hazell said of tying down five players on new deals.

“They are all players we want to keep and have faith in, and what’s great to see is that there is a mix of youth and experience in those renewals.

“The team is very excited about the prospects we have ahead of next season. We have a good group, and that’s what gives us drive and optimism going forward.

“We want to build on last season, and it’s about looking at how we can improve and push on for trophies.”