England captain Ben Stokes has signed a new central contract that will keep him with the national team until the conclusion of the 2027 home Ashes series.

The 34-year-old all-rounder, whose previous deal was due to end after next summer, is among 14 players who have agreed to two-year extensions. One notable name joining him is pace bowler Jofra Archer, who has secured a longer contract following his much-anticipated return to Test cricket.

According to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the latest round of contracts reflects both recent performances and the challenges ahead, with the 2027 home Ashes series followed by the 50-over World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

All 16 players selected for the upcoming Ashes tour of Australia have been offered central contracts lasting at least one year. Eleven of them — including Stokes, Archer, Joe Root, and Harry Brook — have signed for two years.

Among those receiving one-year deals are Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Shoaib Bashir, and Matthew Potts, all of whom play primarily in a single format. Veteran fast bowler Mark Wood, 35, remains under the three-year agreement he signed in 2023.

Stokes’ Leadership Secured for the Long Term

The extension of Stokes’ deal is particularly significant. Despite his ongoing battle with injuries — including a shoulder issue that sidelined him from England’s final home Test of the summer — he’s expected to be fit for the opening Ashes Test in Perth on 21 November, marking his first appearance since July.

By committing until 2027, Stokes is signaling his intent to continue leading England under head coach Brendon McCullum, whose own contract runs through to the end of that year’s World Cup.

New Faces and Departures

All-rounder Jamie Overton, who recently stepped back from red-ball cricket, earns his first central contract with a one-year deal. Others signing one-year contracts for the first time include fast bowlers Sonny Baker, Saqib Mahmood, and Luke Wood, along with all-rounder Liam Dawson.

Meanwhile, some familiar names have dropped off the list. Chris Woakes, who announced his retirement from international cricket last month, is no longer contracted. Jonny Bairstow’s two-year deal has now expired, and Jack Leach has missed out following a dip in selection preference.

Liam Livingstone, who last featured for England during the Champions Trophy in March, also loses his contract, alongside bowlers Olly Stone and Reece Topley.

To invest in future talent, England have awarded development contracts to four promising fast bowlers: Josh Hull, Mitchell Stanley, Eddie Jack, and Tom Lawes.

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England’s Central Contracts

Two-year deals:
Jofra Archer (Sussex), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jamie Smith (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire).

One-year deals:
Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Sonny Baker (Hampshire), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Zak Crawley (Kent), Liam Dawson (Hampshire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Jamie Overton (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Phil Salt (Lancashire), Luke Wood (Lancashire), Mark Wood (Durham).

Development contracts:
Josh Hull (Leicestershire), Eddie Jack (Hampshire), Tom Lawes (Surrey), Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire).