England Cricket announces central contracts; no place for star pace bowler
Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes have signed two-year contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Former captain Joe Root is also among the seven players who have signed a two-year central contract.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the latest men's central contracts for the 2024/25 season. The governing body has handed central contracts to 29 players, seven of whom have two-year contracts, 19 of whom have one-year contracts, and three of whom have signed England Development Contracts.
The white-ball and red-ball captains - Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes have signed two-year contracts. Former captain Joe Root, Harry Brook, Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson and newcomer Jamie Smith are the other five players who have signed two-year contracts.
T20 World Cup winner Chris Jordan has not been given a central contract alongside his pace bowling partner Ollie Robinson. Jordan was a part of England's T20 World Cup 2024 squad. Left-arm orthodox bowler Tom Hartley has also not been awarded a central contract.
Tearaway pacer Jofra Archer who was a part of England's 2024 T20 World Cup squad and who is being carefully managed by the board, has been given an annual contract. Archer was a part of England's squad during the recently culminated white-ball series against Australia on home soil.
The England and Wales Cricket Board is managing Archer's workload with utmost caution and doesn't want him to rush into the red-ball format.
England players with two-year central contracts:
Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey)*, Ben Stokes (Durham), Mark Wood (Durham)
England players with one-year central contracts:
England Development contracts:
Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)*, Josh Hull (Leicestershire)*, John Turner (Hampshire)
* - Newly contracted player for the 2024/2025 season