England Test captain Ben Stokes will reportedly sign a two-year central contract with the national side, guaranteeing his participation in the 2025-26 Ashes.
Stokes will sign a two-year central contract with the England Cricket Board (ECB), acording to a report by The Guardian. This comes after Stokes opted for a one-year deal last year despite the board offering multiyear contracts for the first time, with Joe Root, Harry Brook and Mark Wood all signing a three-year contract and Ollie Pope and Jofra Archer signing for two years.
Stokes has battled a dodgy knee throughout his career, which kept him away from bowling for prolonged periods. After undergoing surgery for the same, he took part in the India Test tour earlier this year.
He also made his bowling comeback against the West Indies, proving that his body can withstand the rigours of the cramped cricketing calendar. Though he missed the recent home series against Sri Lanka following a hamstring injury in The Hundred, Stokes’ reported multi-year contract indicates that’s not a major headache.
South Africa's Test series in Bangladesh from October 16 is likely to go ahead as planned despite the recent political upheaval in the country.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 14, 2024
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England duties remain Stokes' top priority
Despite being not part of the Tests against Sri Lanka, Stokes travelled with the England squad for rehabilitation with the medical team. He is cautious of rushing his way back from an injury. He will be back to captain England in the three-match Test series against Pakistan, starting October 7.
Earlier this year, Stokes withdrew his name from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the T20 World Cup to remain fit for the English summer.
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