Ben Stokes indicates Ashes 2027 future after England reveals central contract till September 2026
England's Test captain, Ben Stokes, who has limited his career to only Test matches in the last couple of years, has indicated to stay till Ashes 2027 after ECB reveals the central contract list till September 2027.
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England’s Test captain, Ben Stokes, has signed a two-year deal, which provides a clear indication of him playing the Ashes 2027 on home soil. The 34-year-old’s career is sandwiched only to the longest format in the last 12 months as he was sidelined with hamstring and shoulder issues and hasn’t featured in limited overs’ game since November 2023. But his new contract suggests that he will not stop anytime soon.
Along with Stokes, Brendon McCullum, England's head coach, is also under contract till the end of 2027, which suggests another two-year partnership between the two Kiwi-born. In this captain-coach stand, the Three Lions have won 25 and lost 14 Tests since June 2022, but are yet to record a win over the big three.
Stokes is one of the 14 players to have signed a new two-year central contract, with a further 12 players staying till October 12. The five players who have signed their first central contracts are Sonny Baker, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, and Luke Wood.
Ben Stokes extends England’s central contract by two years to sign Ashes 2027
Adil Rashid has continued to be in the central contract till 2027, while Sam Curran’s contract marks a return to favour after he spent the first half of this year outside England’s white-ball squads. Jos Buttler, despite stepping down as the white-ball captain earlier this year, committed to a two-year deal.
The most notable omissions from the contracts list are Tom Banton, an ever-present in England’s T20I side since Harry Brook took over as the white-ball captain, and Jordan Cox, who has been a regular member across formats in the last year.
England men’s central contracts-
Two-year contracts- (Till Sep 30, 2027) 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.
One-year contracts- (until September 30, 2026)- Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Shoaib Bashir, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Phil Salt, Luke Wood, Mark Wood.
Development Contracts- Josh Hull, Eddie Clerk, Tom Lawes, Mitchell Stanley.
Lapsed Contracts- Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, John Turner.
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