ECB confirm new England contracts as Ben Stokes opts against new long-term deal

24 October 2023 , 10:30

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ECB have confirmed new deals for Stokes and Wood among others (Image: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Mark Wood has committed to tearing in at the Aussie batters Down Under one more time after signing the first three year contract with England.

The pace ace was seriously considering his options in the latest round of central contract negotiations, but the ECB have secured first dibs on the services of Wood plus the best 28 other players in the country with 18 signing central contracts for two or three years for the first time.

Test skipper Ben Stokes though is not one of them, preferring instead to continue with a one year deal worth close to £1 million before he and the ECB reassess his situation both in terms of fitness and personal choice next year.

Stokes’ position as one of the biggest stars in world cricket means that he is not in need of the same financial security as perhaps 33-year-old fast bowler Wood who is one of three players to agree a three year deal along with Joe Root and Harry Brook.

Some other players were offered three years deals, but like Stokes, chose to accept a reduced period with two year deals for the likes of Jos Buttler, Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow.

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There are first time deals for young leg-spinning all rounder Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Brook, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue. But the value of each of these deals will vary hugely based on experience, how much international cricket they will be expected to play and what their value to the franchise circuit is.

ECB confirm new England contracts as Ben Stokes opts against new long-term deal

Rob Key has been working on securing England's best players (Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

It is understood that the contracts at the lowest end will be worth around £180,000 while players such as Stokes will easily break the £1 million mark each year with match fees added.

The ECB will feel happy about tying so many players to the England cause with several seriously considering becoming freelance cricketers on the franchise circuit, but the threat has only been pushed back temporarily.

Concerns over the future will remain hanging over the governing body with players awaiting to see how Major League Cricket and any new Saudi Arabia cricket league develops in the coming months and years.

David Willey is the only member of the World Cup squad not to be included in the list of contracted players which leaves him to explore the franchise circuit following the snub.

"I would like to congratulate all the players who have been offered contracts. They will play a pivotal role in England's efforts over the next few years.” said Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, Rob Key.

"We are rewarding those players who we expect to make a significant impact over the coming years playing for England. It is great news and a credit to the players for demonstrating their commitment to English cricket in the ever-changing landscape of the sport."

England Three-Year Central Contracts: Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Mark Wood (Durham)

England Two-Year Central Contracts: Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Jofra Archer (Sussex) Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Bryson Carse (Durham), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire – from 1 November), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

England One-Year Central Contracts: Moeen Ali (Warwickshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Ben Foakes (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Ben Stokes (Durham), Reece Topley (Surrey)