The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has shaken things up in the world of English cricket, unveiling its updated central contract list for the 2024/2025 season. The announcement brought with it some surprises, particularly the omissions of wicketkeeper-batter Ben Foakes and fast bowler Ollie Robinson.
Foakes, who relinquished the wicketkeeping duties to the impressive Jamie Smith this summer, has been left out of the central contract list. Smith, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in August, has not only impressed with his glovework but also made a statement with a maiden century in the same series. He also delivered crucial knocks of 70 at Lord’s and 95 at Edgbaston against the West Indies, solidifying his place as a rising star in the English setup.
Robinson, who has been a force to be reckoned with since his emergence in summer 2021, has not been selected since a disappointing tour of India earlier this year. His impressive record of 76 wickets at an average of 22.92 in 20 Tests has not been enough to secure him a place in the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, the England skippers, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, have committed to the team for the next two years by signing contract extensions.
“The strength and depth of talent across England men’s red and white-ball cricket is clear in the quality of players who are centrally contracted,” said managing director of England men’s cricket Rob Key. “These contracts reward the players we believe will play an important role for our England men’s teams. Both our captains, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, have signed two-year central contracts that showcase the commitment of all the players to prioritize playing for their country.”
The list also features a crop of new faces securing central contracts for the first time. Joining the ranks are:
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Jamie Smith
: The young wicketkeeper-batter has already made his mark on the international stage and is now set to continue his development with the support of a central contract.*
Will Jacks
: The Surrey all-rounder brings a dynamic approach to the game and is poised to make a significant impact in the coming years.*
Shoaib Bashir
: The Somerset all-rounder has earned his place with consistent performances and will be looking to build on his success.*
Phil Salt
: The Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter has been a rising star in the limited-overs format and will be aiming to break into the Test side.*
Olly Stone
: The Nottinghamshire fast bowler is known for his pace and aggression and will be looking to cement his place in the team.In addition to the central contracts, some promising young talents have been awarded development contracts:
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Jacob Bethell
: The Warwickshire batsman was recently named in England’s squad for their three-Test tour of New Zealand, showcasing his potential for future success.*
Josh Hull
: The Leicestershire all-rounder, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in October, was unfortunately ruled out of the Pakistan tour due to a quad injury.*
John Turner
: The Hampshire all-rounder will continue his journey under the guidance of an England development contract.The new contracts mark a new chapter for England cricket, with the team set to face a busy schedule in the coming months. The focus now shifts to the upcoming tours of New Zealand and the West Indies, where these players will be looking to prove their worth on the international stage.
This announcement has sparked debate among cricket enthusiasts, with some questioning the omissions of Foakes and Robinson and others excited about the emergence of new talents. The upcoming season promises to be an exciting one for English cricket, and fans will be eager to see how these new faces perform on the international stage.
