Cricket News By TODAYLIVESCORE.INFO - ECB revise men's contract model, offer 20 annual central contracts. On the list of 20 players, Dawid Malan, Jack Leach and Ollie Robinson have all received central contracts for the first time
On the list of 20 players, Dawid Malan, Jack Leach and Ollie Robinson have all received central contracts for the first time
The ECB have replaced their previous contract model, which awarded separate Test and white-ball deals, with a more streamlined list of 20 annual central contracts for its men's players. It follows criticism of the previous model for being too inflexible.
Last year's contracts were a case in point. There was no spinner in the list of Test contracts awarded for the 2020/21 period despite six Tests being played in Asia during the winter while Mark Wood was offered only a white-ball contract despite being a key member of the Test team in the build-up to this winter's Ashes series.
The ECB say the change in structure, worked on in conjunction with the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA), “is designed to meet England's future needs in what has become a fluid and dynamic landscape” and also take into consideration the COVID-19 landscape which will continue to have an impact on availability.
The criteria for players selected on the latest contract list considers the likelihood of players featuring in England teams across formats in the next 12 months, whilst also recognising performances in the preceding year. Ashley Giles, director of men's cricket at the ECB, said he believes the new structure is “the fairest and most transparent way of rewarding players across all formats”.
On the list of 20 players, Dawid Malan, Jack Leach and Ollie Robinson have all received central contracts for the first time. Zak Crawley, dropped from the Test team during the summer, has received a deal but Dom Sibley has not. Nor has Haseeb Hameed who replaced Crawley in the Test team. Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes have also been included alongside Moeen Ali, who recently retired from Test cricket.
In addition to the 20 central contracts, the ECB have also awarded four incremental contracts and three pace bowling deals. The latter allows the ECB to have a direct say over the workload of these bowlers. Dom Bess, Chris Jordan, Tom Curran and Liam Livingstone have been awarded incremental deals while Olly Stone, Craig Overton and Saqib Mahmood have all retained their pace bowling contracts.
“Since the inception of central contracts in 2002, the system has facilitated improved preparation, performance and professionalism of the England team and has ensured that players are well rewarded for representing their country at the elite level,” Giles added.
“The international game continues to evolve, and we have to be mindful that we have to lead the way in player performance across cricket's ever-changing landscape. Our objective remains the same to develop world-class players in all three formats as we strive to become the most respected team in the world.
“I would like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming year, particularly newcomers Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, and Ollie Robinson. Receiving your first central contract is a great moment in any player's career. They will all play a pivotal role in England's fortunes over the next 12 months.”
England Men's Central Contracts
Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Jofra Archer (Sussex)
Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Rory Burns (Surrey)
Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
Zak Crawley (Kent)
Sam Curran (Surrey)
Jack Leach (Somerset)
Dawid Malan (Yorkshire)
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)
Ollie Pope (Surrey)
Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
Ollie Robinson (Sussex)
Joe Root (Yorkshire)
Jason Roy (Surrey)
Ben Stokes (Durham)
Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)
Mark Wood (Durham)
England Increment Contracts
Dom Bess (Yorkshire)
Tom Curran (Surrey)
Chris Jordan (Surrey)
Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
England Pace Bowling Development Contracts
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
Craig Overton (Somerset)
Olly Stone (Warwickshire)
