England hand 39 central contracts to cricketers ahead of major year

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 13:58 · Archive

England have awarded a record 39 central contracts to cricketers as new coaching structures take shape for their Test and limited-overs sides.

England have awarded a record 39 central contracts to cricketers, comprising 30 main deals and nine development contracts. This is up from 26 main contracts last year, with the additional funds made available following the retirement of Ben Stokes mid-summer and Zak Crawley being dropped from the squad.

Notable players on the list include spinner Shoaib Bashir and batter Ollie Pope among those retaining deals. Seven players have been awarded central contracts for the first time: Tom Banton, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Emilio Gay, Matt Fisher and Dan Lawrence. Nine development contracts have also been issued, including teenage Somerset batter Thomas Rew and Nottinghamshire all-rounder Liam Patterson-White. Eleven players, including captains Joe Root and Harry Brook, receive two-year contracts extending until the end of 2028.

New coaching structures have been announced with Stephen Fleming beginning his tenure as Test head coach, supported by Marcus Trescothick, James Foster, Eric Simons and Richard Dawson, who joins from Glamorgan as spin bowling lead. Brendon McCullum continues to lead the limited-overs sides. Rob Key, the England team director, stated the moves would allow him to "map out the next two years" for the men's teams and produce homegrown candidates for future top coaching roles.

How it is being reported

• England split cricket coaching set-ups and hand out record 39 central contractsRobinson, Duckett and Smith get one-year deals Eric Simons hired as Test fast-bowling coach Rob Key believes he can now “map out the next two years” for the England men’s teams, having handed out a record 39 central contracts and unveiled new split coaching set-ups under Stephen Fleming and Brendon McCullum that he hopes will produce homegrown candidates for the top roles in future. The retirement of Ben Stokes mid-summer , plus Zak Crawley being dropped, has allowed Key to stretch the pot of money for player contracts further this year. Some 30 main deals have been issued – up from 26 last…The Guardian · 12 Oct, 13:31
• England reveal huge list of central contracts as new coaches named39 players have signed deals with the ECB entering an Ashes and World Cup yearIndependent Sport · 12 Oct, 13:00

In this story: England · ECB · Stephen Fleming · Brendon McCullum · Ben Stokes · Joe Root · Harry Brook · Rob Key

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