England announce central contract list for 2024-25
Five players have received their maiden England central contract under the new multi-year system.
A total of 29 players have secured their England central contracts, which include seven two-year Contracts, 19 annual contracts and three Development contracts.
Among the seven players awarded a two-year central contract are England Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball captain Jos Buttler. Stokes, who previously had a one-year contract, has now extended it to a two-year term.
The other players included in the two-year contract list are England's leading Test batter Joe Root, emerging talent Harry Brook, as well as Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Mark Wood.
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Jamie Smith is one of five players to receive an England central contract for the first time under the new multi-year system. The others are Will Jacks, Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt and Olly Stone, each of whom has been awarded a one-year contract.
Jacob Bethell and Josh Hull have also secured Development Contracts for the first time, joining John Turner.
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.
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Speaking on the announcement of the central contract list, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said: "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. Both our captains, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, have signed two-year central contracts that showcase the commitment of all the players to prioritise playing for their country.
“I want to congratulate all the players who have signed new central contracts ahead of what is set to be an exciting period for England Men’s cricket.”