The England Cricket Board have confirmed the list of 18 players who have signed England central contracts in the country’s first-ever example of multi-year deals, but England Test captain Ben Stokes has opted for a one-year agreement.
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.
Financial details of the deals have not been released.
In total, 29 players have received Central Contract offers – 18 England Multi-Year Central Contracts (two or three years), eight England Annual Central Contracts, and three England Development Contracts.
Harry Brook, Joe Root and Mark Wood are the players who have signed three-year contracts, while 15 players have signed two-year deals, including Jofra Archer, who England will hope to have fit for next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and key future Test series.
The ECB have only ever previously offered annual contracts to England players, but have opted to introduce multi-year options in the face of the pull of franchise leagues, with the longest contracts lasting three years.
Managing director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key, said: “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.
“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 also explained the thinking behind Stokes’ decision to sign only a one-year option.
“We’ve done all of this stuff a year early in effect – the contract system follows the broadcast deals. The next broadcast deal comes next year, so to make any changes really we’re going to do that next year” Key said in an interview with journalists in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
“Ben Stokes, like people do when they have an offer of a long-term contract, it’s that trade-off of security over a stronger negotiating position. Ben feels that when the contract cycle changes he’ll be in a stronger position.
“By no means is it Ben Stokes thinking I don’t want to play for England. He’s completely committed to playing for his country and also captaining the Test team.
“He’s planning for India, planning for the Ashes, planning for Pakistan, planning for West Indies and Sri Lanka next summer. I don’t think it’s crossed his mind not playing for England for the next four, five or six years.”
