Announcement of new central contract. (Photo- PTI)
The England Cricket Board has announced the new central contract for the 2025-26 season. This time the board has decided to give central contracts to a total of 30 men’s international players. Of these, 14 players have signed a 2-year central contract. At the same time, 12 players have been given central contracts for 1 year. Apart from these, development contact has been given to 4 players, who are considered to be the future of England cricket.
Central contracts snatched from 6 players
Taking a big decision, the England Cricket Board has also decided not to give central contracts to 6 players. He was part of the previous central contract. These 6 players are Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach, Liam Livingston, Olly Stone, Reece Topley and John Turner. At the same time, Chris Woakes, who has retired from international cricket, is also not a part of the list. On the other hand, Sonny Baker, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton and Luke Wood have managed to get a central contract for the first time.
Big decision of Ben Stokes
England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has signed a new two-year central contract with England, which clearly indicates that he wants to play in the 2027 Ashes series on home soil. This contract will remain effective till 30 September 2027. 34-year-old Stokes, who has been focusing only on Test cricket for the last 12 months due to injuries, has made his future intentions clear with this decision. On the other hand, the contract of England head coach Brendon McCullum is also till the end of 2027.
England Cricket Board Central Contract List
2-year central contract: Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethel, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacques, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Josh Tongue.
1 year central contract: Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Jack Crowley, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Phil Salt, Luke Wood, Mark Wood.
Development Contact: Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Tom Laws, Mitchell Stanley.