The England and Wales Cricket Board has awarded multi-year central contracts to its cricketers for the first time despite the growing popularity of franchise cricket worldwide. The board stated, “The ECB has worked very closely with the Professional Cricketers’ Association and Team England Player Partnership in the best interests of the cricketers to achieve an outcome that benefits all parties.”
Live Cricket Score has learned that 18 players have signed multi-year contracts, while eight more have signed annual contracts. The board has awarded three more contracts to England Development.
Harry Brook, former Test captain Joe Root, and pacer Mark Wood have all signed three-year contracts with the club. Brook is being offered an ECB central contract for the first time. Among the 15 players who have signed two-year contracts are Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow, and the latest pace sensation Gus Atkinson.
Surprisingly, Test captain Ben Stokes has only signed a 12-month contract with the ECB. Aside from Stokes, veteran James Anderson and allrounder Moeen Ali are two of the eight players who have agreed to an annual contract. Dawid Malan, who passed over last year, has been given an annual contract. Despite being a member of the squad in India for the ongoing ODI World Cup, David Willey has been left out.
Three players have been given development contracts: Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood, and uncapped John Turner.
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