by Ben Stokes is set to deliver a major boost to English cricket by signing a two-year central contract that secures his services until the 2025-26 Ashes tour.
The England captain caused a surprise last year by signing just a one-year deal, as the England and Wales Cricket Board offered multi-year contracts for the first time, with Joe Root, Mark Wood and Harry Brook all signing three-year deals, and Ollie Pope and Jofra Archer among those signing two-year deals.
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The ECB will offer fewer long-term contracts this year as they deal with the fallout from some costly mistakes made 12 months ago. Jonny Bairstow signed a two-year deal worth £800,000 a year last October but has not played for England in any format since the T20 World Cup in June and is unlikely to be recalled, meaning the ECB are paying him more than £1m not to play.
Stokes’ commitment to England has never been in question but, given that 12 months ago he was preparing to undergo knee surgery, he has chosen to keep his options open. The 33-year-old successfully returned for the tour of India earlier this year and, despite missing the recent home series against Sri Lanka with a hamstring injury, has proven to himself that his body can withstand the rigours of Test cricket.
Stokes will return to lead England in the three-match Test series in Pakistan next month, with the ECB hoping to announce the new batch of central contracts before the players depart.
Due to the complicated nature of multi-year contract negotiations, the ECB were unable to confirm current contracts until midway through England’s World Cup campaign in India last year, which several sources involved said was a major distraction. Jos Buttler’s side endured a disastrous campaign in which they failed to reach the semi-finals.
Stokes’ willingness to commit for a longer period is another significant boost for the ECB following last week’s announcement that Brendon McCullum has signed a new contract as England’s Test and white-ball coach until the end of 2027.
The New Zealander will take charge of the limited-overs team in January ahead of the Champions Trophy in Pakistan the following month, with his new deal keeping him in charge of the Twenty20 World Cup in 2026 and the 50-overs version the following year, as well as two Ashes series.
Stokes’ new contract will not last as long, but it is a testament to his closeness to McCullum and his desire to continue working with him. The pair have transformed the England Test team, which has won 19 of 29 matches under their leadership after winning just one of the previous 17. Stokes has opted out of this year’s IPL and T20 World Cup to ensure he is fit for this summer’s Test matches, which remain his priority.
The ECB could offer extensions to some of these players entering the final 12 months of their existing contracts, including vice-captain Pope and Archer. Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett and Gus Atkinson also have 12 months left on their contracts, but given that they are not in high demand by T20 franchises, the ECB may not offer extensions.
Jamie Smith is certain to be handed his first central contract after impressing as a wicket-keeper batsman this summer, while 6ft 7in fast bowler Josh Hull is also in the mix after being selected for the Pakistan tour but may have to settle for a development contract.
Most of the eight players whose one-year contracts are due to expire will not be offered new deals, with James Anderson, Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan having retired, while Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson are out of favour. Jack Leach and Reece Topley are expected to be offered new one-year deals, with Stokes signing for a longer term.
