Ben Stokes signs new central contract with England till...

England National Cricket Team Test captain Ben Stokes has signed a new central contract with the England and the Wales Cricket Board (ECB). As per the reports in ESPNCricinfo, it is learned that the all-rounder has signed the deal till the 2025-26 Ashes tour.

England and Wales Cricket Board hasn't announced the new list of central contracts because most of the players are already tied to multi-year deals. Ben Stokes, however, didn't sign any deal in the hope of getting his value increased. But his new contract now will run until September 2026, taking in next year's Ashes tour.

Stokes signing a new deal with the ECB comes as a massive development because of the demand and the value that the all-rounder possesses in the T20 leagues. England National Cricket Team are aware of what the all-rounder brings to the table both as a player and leader, especially with him turning around the Test team.

Hence, the ECB offering him a lucrative despite his being injury-prone shows that the team is desperate to have him. The all-rounder has had a massive injury history but still has been giving his best for the team. The Test captain, however, declined to specify the length of his new contract on Saturday, but it is expected to be for two months.

Ben Stokes to miss first Test against Pakistan

Stokes, who tore his hamstring in August while playing in the Hundred, will be missing the first Test of the three-match Test series against Pakistan National Cricket Team. The all-rounder is yet to attain full fitness for the match that will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan on Monday (7th October).

England have announced the playing XI as well for the first Test and Ollie Pope will be leading the team. In the absence of Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes will be playing the game, and it will be the first time in two-and-a-half years that he will be playing an overseas Test for the national team.

Under the leadership of Ben Stokes, England National Cricket whitewashed the Pakistan National Cricket Team during the last tour. Therefore, it puts pressure on Ollie Pope as if he would be able to match Stokes' proactivity in changing the tempo of matches.

There are no doubts in my mind about the bowlers we have picked - Ben Stokes

Ahead of the first Test Stokes expressed confidence in the bowlers of the team, saying that he has no doubts about the bowlers they have picked. He said that it would be a great learning for the young bowlers to see how hard Test cricket can be. Speaking to reporters, he explained:

"There are no doubts in my mind about the bowlers we have picked. We know they will be able to withstand it. We know it is going to be tough, but it will be great exposure for the first time for them… It will show them how hard Test cricket can be."

Me and Brendon will encourage Ollie to influence the game himself - Ben Stokes confident of Pope doing well

Ben Stokes further stated that during the last tour, he was trying to force a result and push the game forward. He said that he, along with head coach Brendon McCullum, will encourage Ollie Pope to run the game and be successful as a skipper. He added:

"[In 2022], it was about trying to push the game forward because of the conditions we were faced with. We were always trying to do something to force a result, even if it means potentially giving Pakistan a sniff of winning the game… I and I will encourage Ollie to influence the game himself and make sure that comes across in his captaincy."

Stokes is likely to get fit for the second Test, which will be played in Rawalpindi.