ECB announces restructured central contracts

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The ECB has overhauled its central contract system to give greater support to its growing list of white-ball specialists, with the list of contracted players for the year 2016-17 split into two pools for Test and limited-overs cricket.

With the twin objectives of the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup looming on the horizon, and bearing in mind the vastly improved performances from England's limited-overs players, who reached the final of the World T20 in India earlier this year, the ECB has set about elevating the standing of the shorter forms of the game.

England central contracts 2016-17

Test contracts Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham)

White-ball contracts Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), David Willey (Yorkshire)

Increment Contract Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)

The new list of contracted players for the 12 months from October 1 includes 10 names on the list of Test contracts, and 11 for limited-overs cricket, including four players - the batsman, Joe Root, and the allrounders Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali - who feature in both.

Under the new structure, players in all formats will receive a 'ranking' based on their performances on the pitch, as well as a number of other factors, including off-field contribution, fielding and fitness. Those rankings will then correlate with the players' level of remuneration.

In addition to central contracts, selectors can award a limited number of increment contracts, based on the regularity of appearances from players outside of the contracted lists. At present, Yorkshire's Gary Ballance is the only recipient of such a deal for the next 12 months.

"We believe the restructure of the central contract system will recognise the increased focus of the shorter format and the importance that we place on this as we continue our progress towards hosting the 2019 World Cup," the director of England cricket, Andrew Strauss, said.

"It is undeniable that the introduction of central contracts in 2002 has greatly benefited the fortunes of the England Test team. During this period the team has consistently performed well against the other Test nations around the world. We hope that continues over the next few years.

"The international game is evolving rapidly, and we have to keep pace with developments on the field. Our game-wide strategy sets out the objective of creating balance between the formats, and this is reflected by the restructure of central contracts. Ultimately, we are fully committed to developing world-class players in both red- and white-ball cricket to aid the goal of becoming the world's number one team."

In addition to Woakes, who has been rewarded for a breakthrough season in Test cricket, the other notable inclusion in the list of Test players is Jonny Bairstow, who established himself as England's first-choice wicketkeeper with 753 runs in the course of England's home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, at an average of 75.30.

Ian Bell, who was dropped from England's Test team ahead of last winter's tour of South Africa, slips off the list, while Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler, who were both centrally contracted under the old format in 2015-16, are now included in the white-ball list only. While players on the Test list are paid solely by the ECB, those on limited-overs deals will receive a supplement on top of their county contract.

England Cricket News: ECB announces restructured central contracts | ESPN Cricinfo
 
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