Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @stokesy
Ben Stokes has agreed to a new two-year central contract with England.
Last year, the Test captain declined a three-year offer from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) when multi-year contracts were first introduced, opting instead for a 12-month deal.
On Saturday, Stokes confirmed that his new contract will extend until 2026, covering the away Ashes series in Australia next winter.
The 33-year-old has been ruled out of England’s first Test against Pakistan due to a hamstring injury. England are currently offering new contracts and extensions to players, who will then decide whether to accept them.
Eighteen players signed multi-year contracts last year and remain under contract. The ECB introduced these deals to discourage players from joining franchise leagues. Stokes was among eight players who opted for a one-year contract, making him now out of contract.
At the time, England’s managing director Rob Key explained that Stokes was waiting on a new memorandum of understanding, which could increase the value of contracts. This agreement, linked to the TV broadcast cycle, has improved central contracts ahead of a new broadcast cycle beginning in 2025.
Of the other seven players who signed one-year deals, James Anderson, Moeen Ali, and Dawid Malan have retired from international cricket, while Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson have been dropped. Jack Leach and Reece Topley are likely candidates for new contracts.
Jamie Smith and Shoaib Bashir are expected to receive central contracts for the first time after becoming regulars in the Test team. Jonny Bairstow, despite not playing for England since the T20 World Cup in June, still has a year left on his contract.
England’s three-match series in Pakistan starts on Monday, and Stokes will miss his fourth Test since injuring his hamstring in August while playing for Northern Superchargers. Ollie Pope will continue to captain the team in his absence.
England, who won 3-0 in Pakistan two years ago, are without the three pace bowlers from that tour. In addition to Anderson and Robinson, Mark Wood is also sidelined with injury.
In their place, Chris Woakes will play his first Test in Asia since 2016, Gus Atkinson will feature in his first away Test, and Brydon Carse will make his Test debut.
The series presents a tough challenge for England’s bowlers. Although the Multan pitch may have a green tinge, temperatures are expected to reach around 36 degrees.
“There are no doubts in my mind about the bowlers we have picked,” said Stokes. “We know they will be able to withstand that heat.
“It takes character, and we have a lot of characters in our dressing room who will stand up to the challenge of playing Test cricket out here.”
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
