ENG vs SL: Ben Stokes Takes Single-Year Deal As ECB Announces Central Contracts List

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the Central Contract offers for England Men’s international cricket, covering the period from 1 October 2023. This system encompasses both red-ball and white-ball players and takes into account the likelihood of players featuring in England teams across various formats in the upcoming year, while also recognizing their performances in the preceding year.

In a significant development, multi-year contracts have been introduced. This change reflects the evolving dynamics of international cricket and the need for flexibility in player contracts. The ECB worked closely with the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the Team England Player Partnership, representing the players’ interests, to arrive at a mutually agreeable outcome.

A total of 29 players have received Central Contract offers, including 18 England Multi-Year Central Contracts, eight England Annual Central Contracts, and three England Development Contracts.

England Three-Year Central Contracts:

1. Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
2. Joe Root (Yorkshire)
3. Mark Wood (Durham)

England Two-Year Central Contracts:

1. Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
2. Jofra Archer (Sussex)
3. Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
4. Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
5. Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
6. Brydon Carse (Durham)
7. Zak Crawley (Kent)
8. Sam Curran (Surrey)
9. Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
10. Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
11. Ollie Pope (Surrey)
12. Matthew Potts (Durham)
13. Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
14. Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire – from 1 November)
15. Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

England One-Year Central Contracts:

1. Moeen Ali (Warwickshire)
2. James Anderson (Lancashire)
3. Ben Foakes (Surrey)
4. Jack Leach (Somerset)
5. Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
6. Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
7. Ben Stokes (Durham)
8. Reece Topley (Surrey)

England Development Contracts:

1. Matthew Fisher (Yorkshire)
2. Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
3. John Turner (Hampshire)

England Cricket Board’s (ECB) MD Rob Key Makes A Statement After Announcing The Contracts

Seven players, including Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue, have received England Central Contract offers for the first time. Additionally, Yorkshire batter Dawid Malan has made a return to an annual contract after missing out the previous year. To support the development of high-potential talent, Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood, and John Turner have been offered Development Contracts by the ECB.

Rob Key, Managing Director of the ECB, expressed his enthusiasm for the new contract awards, stating, “We are rewarding those players who we expect to make a significant impact over the coming years playing for England.” He also congratulated all the players who received contract offers and highlighted their pivotal role in England’s cricketing endeavors in the coming years.

These Central Contract offers reflect the commitment of the ECB to nurturing talent and building a competitive and dynamic team that will represent England in various formats of international cricket. The contracts are designed to accommodate the ever-changing landscape of the sport while ensuring a bright future for English cricket.