He England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially presented its central list of men’s contracts for the 2025-26 season, with 30 players in different categories.
ECB announces list of men’s central contracts for 2025-26
The updated structure reflects the board’s renewed focus on stability, workload management and rewarding consistent performance across all formats. This year’s announcement sees a mix of senior international stars and emerging domestic talent, signaling England’s commitment to long-term squad depth.
According to the ECB, the revised contract system covers both red-ball and white-ball cricket, taking into account each player’s recent form and likelihood of international selection. A total of 14 players have received two-year central contracts, 12 have received one-year contracts and four youth players have been awarded development contracts. The move also marks the introduction of several debutants into the central contract, a step towards integrating the next generation of England cricketers into the national framework.
England Cricket: Two and One Year Central Contracts
The ECB’s decision to award two-year central contracts to its multi-format actors ensures stability and workload balance for its busiest stars. Key names in this group include Ben Stokes, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid and Jofra Archerforming the experienced backbone of the national system. Along with them, emerging artists such as Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith and Will Jacks have been recognized for their growing impact. England Men’s Cricket CEO Rob Key said multi-format commitments required secure long-term deals to help the ECB manage player fitness and international scheduling more efficiently.
- Two-year core contracts:
Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse Sam Curran Ben Duckett Will Jacks, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes, Josh Tongue
Meanwhile, the one-year core contractswhich will run until September 2026, features a mix of proven and award-winning artists for the first time. Names like Zak Crawley, Rehan Ahmed, Ollie Pope, Phil Salt and wooden frames highlight the core of England in all formats. Notably, Sonny Baker, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton and Luke Wood They have obtained their first central contracts, a recognition of their constant rise in the national circuits. The ECB’s strategy is designed to offer flexibility amid an expanding franchise calendar, ensuring England’s centrally contracted players remain fully committed to international cricket.
- One-year core contracts
Rehan Ahmed Sonny Baker* Shoaib Bashir * Zak Crawley Liam Dawson * Saqib Mahmood * Jamie Overton * Ollie Pope Matthew Potts Phil Salt Mark Wood *Luke Wood *
Note: [* denotes newly centrally contracted for 2025-26]
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Development contracts and the long-term vision of the ECB
To complement the senior setup, the ECB has introduced development contracts aimed at promoting international future perspectives. The 2025-26 season sees Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Tom Lawes and Mitchell Stanley included in this category, ensuring England’s next generation gets early exposure to the demands of elite cricket. Three of these players, Jack, Lawes and Stanley, were awarded development deals for the first time, joining Hull, which continues from last season.
Rob key He explained that this new level of contracts aligns with England’s broader development path, offering structured support and closer integration between national and international programmes. The ECB believed that maintaining strong competition between formats requires not only rewarding excellence but also investing in potential. By formalizing these contracts, the board aims to provide emerging talent with the financial security and career guidance necessary to prepare them for future international roles.
Development contracts
- josh helmet
- Eddie Jack
- Tom Lawes
- michel stanley
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