London [UK], October 24 (ANI): The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday announced the Central Contract offers for England Men’s international cricket for the year from 1 October 2023.
“The system, which covers both red-ball and white-ball players, considers the likelihood of players featuring in England teams across formats over the next period while recognising performances in the preceding year. Multi-year contracts have been awarded for the first time since central contracts were established in 2000. The ECB has worked closely with the Professional Cricketers’ Association and Team England Player Partnership on behalf of the players to reach an outcome for all parties,” the ECB said in an official statement.
England white-ball captain Jos Buttler signs on for two years. Joe Root, Harry Brook and Mark Wood are the first recipients of three-year contracts. Meanwhile, England’s Test captain Ben Stokes is an unexpected omission from the list of 18 players who have signed the first batch of multi-year ECB central contracts, having instead agreed to a one-year deal with the board.
Seven players Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue receive an England Central Contract offer for the first time. Yorkshire batter Dawid Malan also returns to an annual contract after missing out last year.
Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood and John Turner are offered Development Contracts to support the development of high-potential talent.
Another 15 players have signed two-year contracts, with Stokes being one of eight to have signed a one-year deal. Other players who have signed one-year contracts include James Anderson, who is nearing the end of his career, as well as Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan.
Ben Foakes has kept his central contract, indicating that he is still in England’s plans despite being omitted from the Test team ahead of the Ashes series this summer and that he may travel to India next year.
Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Dan Lawrence, Phil Salt, and David Willey are notable absentees. Jacks has represented England in all three formats over the past year and is likely to play a larger role in their white-ball plans after the World Cup, whilst Willey is the only member of their World Cup team who does not have a contract for next year.
“We are rewarding those players who we expect to make a significant impact over the coming years playing for England. It is great news and a credit to the players for demonstrating their commitment to English cricket in the ever-changing landscape of the sport,” Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said in an official statement.
“I would like to congratulate all the players who have been offered contracts. They will play a pivotal role in England’s efforts over the next few years,” Key added. (ANI)
