London: Captain Ben Stokes has extended his England central contract through to the end of the next home Ashes series in 2027. Stokes, who was previously set to complete his contract at the conclusion of next summer, is one of 14 players committing to a two-year deal.

According to BBC, pace bowler Jofra Archer has also signed an extended contract following his return to Test cricket. Among others, batters Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, spinner Shoaib Bashir, and seamer Matthew Potts have secured one-year contracts, though they are not multi-format players. Meanwhile, 35-year-old pace bowler Mark Wood is in the final stages of a three-year contract signed in 2023.

The extension of Stokes’ contract is particularly significant. The 34-year-old all-rounder, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, is expected to be fit for the first Ashes Test in Perth on 21 November, marking his return to action since July. This longer deal suggests that Stokes could lead England into the 2027 Ashes, aligning with head coach Brendon McCullum’s contract, set to end after the World Cup that year.

Jamie Overton, who has paused his red-ball cricket activities, has been awarded a one-year central contract. Newcomers to one-year deals include pace bowlers Sonny Baker, Saqib Mahmood, and Luke Wood, alongside all-rounder Liam Dawson. Chris Woakes, having retired from international cricket last month, is no longer on the contract list.

Jonny Bairstow’s two-year central contract has concluded, while spinner Jack Leach has been omitted after losing favor. All-rounder Liam Livingstone, absent from the England team since the Champions Trophy in March, has also lost his deal, along with pace bowlers Olly Stone and Reece Topley. Young fast bowlers Josh Hull, Mitchell Stanley, Eddie Jack, and Tom Lawes have received development deals.