After a sensational breakthrough in his international career, the young Jacob Bethell was rewarded with a new central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday. The rising fast bowler Josh Hull was also promoted to the development category where he replaced Bethell.
The experienced fast bowler Jofra Archer's contract was also extended by 2 years in a major boost to his chances to make the 2025-26 Ashesh. Archer last played a Test match in 2021 but has recently made a strong comeback in white-ball cricket to regain fitness.
England made some changes to their original contract list that was unveiled on October 31. Only 7 cricketers, including rising wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith, made the two-year contract list while Bethell was kept in the development category.
Bethell, 21, made his debut in all three formats in 2024 and was quick to make a name for himself. After an impressive run in white-ball cricket, he was handed his first Test cap in the ongoing New Zealand tour. He scored an unbeaten fifty in the second innings to prove his selection in the No.3 role.
Notably, the left-handed batting all-rounder also earned an Indian Premier League contact with Royal Challengers Bengaluru during the mega auction on November 24.
England Men Centrally Contracted Players 2024/2025
England 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), Jofra Archer (Sussex).
England One-Year Central Contracts
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Brydon Carse (Durham), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire), Reece Topley (Surrey), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire).
England Development contracts
Josh Hull (Leicestershire), John Turner (Hampshire).
