New Delhi: England Test captain Ben Stokes and white ball skipper Jos Buttler have signed new two-year central contracts. Stokes rejected a three-year deal last October when the England and Wales Cricket Board announced a multi-year contract for the first time and opted to sign a 12-month deal.
But he has committed to England until at least 2026 covering the important Ashes series in Australia, while Jos Buttler, who previously had a one-year contract, extended it by 12 months to a two-year term.
A total of 29 cricketers have signed their England Central contract which includes seven two-year contracts, 19 annual contracts and three development. Jamie Smith has cemented his place as first-choice wicketkeeper in Test cricket with some stunning performances in recent months and he has been rewarded with a two-year contract.
While Jonny Bairstow still has one year left on his contract and Ben Foakes has not been offered a contract. Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt, Olly Stone and all-rounder Will Jacks have received their contract for the first time and have signed on for one year.
Fast bowler Gus Atkinson has also extended his contract until 2026 while Joe Root, Harry Brook and Mark Wood still have two years left in their existing contracts. Jacob Bethell, Josh Hull and John Turner have also signed Development Contracts for the first time.
“The strength and depth of talent across England men’s red- and white-ball cricket is clear in the quality of players who are centrally contracted. These contracts reward the players we believe will play an important role for our England men’s teams” said England’s managing director of cricket Rob Key.
A total of 29 players have been awarded Central Contracts 📝🦁🏴
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) October 31, 2024
ECB Contract list
Two-year contracts: Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood.
One-year contracts: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Josh Tongue, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes.
Development contracts: Jacob Bethell, Josh Hull, John Turner.
