ECB announce updated central contract list; captains Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler sign two-year extensions 

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced their updated central contract list for the men's team. Following the inclusion of seven new players into the list, England now have a total of 29 players who hold a contract, categorically divided by their time frame, with a small section holding a developmental deal as well.

Red-ball and white-ball skippers Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler respectively have agreed to a two-year extension. A total of seven players now hold multiple-year deals, given that they are viewed as all-format players. Apart from the captains, the likes of Harry Brook, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Jamie Smith, and Joe Root all hold similar long-term contracts.

Several players who have made a breakthrough into the England national team across formats during the time of transition have also made it to the contract list for the first time. Will Jacks, Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt, and Olly Stone have all signed one-year deals.

Youngsters Jacob Bethell and Josh Hull, who made their national debuts over the course of the recently concluded home summers, have signed developmental deals.

"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," ECB managing director Rob Key said in a statement.

“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,” he added.

The biggest omissions in the list are potentially the trio of Chris Jordan, Ollie Robinson, and Tom Hartley.

All-rounder Chris Jordan last played in the 2024 T20 World Cup, and was not considered for the home series against Australia. Ollie Robinson, once a red-ball regular, last played regularly during the Ashes, followed by a solitary wicketless outing against India earlier this year.

England are currently involved in a white-ball series against the West Indies, where Liam Livingstone is leading the ODI side in Buttler's absence due to injury.

England updated central 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.