The ECB have offered 18 players multi-year central contracts for the first time in history, with a further eight players offered single-year contracts.

Harry Brook, Joe Root and Mark Wood have all been offered three-year contracts which cover both red- and white-ball cricket. The contract is Brook’s first England central contract having not been offered one last year. Fifteen other players, including Rehan Ahmed, Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow have been offered two-year contracts.

Ben Stokes was reportedly offered a three-year contract but turned down the offer. He has been given a one-year contract, along with James Anderson, Moeen Ali, Ollie Robinson, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ben Foakes and Reece Topley.

Three players, Matt Fisher, Saqib Mahmood and John Turner, have also been offered Development Contracts.

Aside from Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue have been offered contracts for the first time. Malan has also regained his contract after missing out last year. Jason Roy, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton and Olly Stone, along with the retired Stuart Broad, are all no longer contracted.

Stokes’ decision is the headline. In September, he set out his desire to extend his Test career until the 2027 Ashes. “Now that I’m 32, I’m very realistic that things will come to an end at some point,” he told The Telegraph. “But I have my eyes set on something I want to be a part of for the next three to four years.”

However, he has also empathised with cricketers choosing to decline ECB contracts for personal reasons. “If a person makes a decision because they think it’s not only best for themselves but also the future and security of their family then it’s very hard to disagree with that.”

Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket, said: “We are rewarding those players who we expect to make a significant impact over the coming years playing for England.

“It is great news and a credit to the players for demonstrating their commitment to English cricket in the ever-changing landscape of the sport.

“I would like to congratulate all the players who have been offered contracts. They will play a pivotal role in England’s efforts over the next few years.”

Three-year central contracts: Harry Brook, Mark Wood, Joe Root.

Two-year central contracts: Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.

One-year central contracts: Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley.

England Development Contract: Matthew Fisher, Saqib Mahmood, John Turner.

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