Central Contract upgrade for England batter after impressive Test debut

The upgrade follows his promotion from a development contract awarded just last month.

The 21-year-old made headlines with a stellar Test debut last week during England’s eight-wicket win in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Bethell made just 10 in the first innings but wreaked havoc in the second with an unbeaten 37-ball 50 that helped the visitors chase down 104 in just 12.4 overs and take the lead in the three-match Test series.

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In further developments, England’s seam bowling arsenal remains robust, with key pacers Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, and Matthew Potts, all getting extensions on their central contracts until September 2026.

Brydon Carse also impressed in the opening Test against the Kiwis, producing a spell of 4/64 in the first innings and a six-wicket haul (6/42) in the second innings that gave England the advantage.

England Men Centrally Contracted Players 2024/2025

England Two-Year Central Contracts

Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Mark Wood

England One-Year Central Contracts

Rehan Ahmed, Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone , Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Josh Tongue, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes

England Development contracts

Josh Hull, John Turner