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Ben Stokes, the great cricket player, was expected to sign a contract that lasted longer than a year, similar to his colleagues, as the England and Wales Cricket Board was offering multi-year contracts for the first time. But unlike players like Ollie Pope and Jofra Archer (two years) or Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Mark Wood (three years), Stokes signed for a one-year contract in October 2023.
Before the English team departs for Pakistan in October to play the three Test matches there, the ECB is keen to reveal the central contracts. They also have complete faith that Stokes, having recovered from a horrific hamstring pull while playing for the Northern Superchargers during The Hundred 2024, will be ready to lead the team.
According to a story by The Guardian, Stokes is expected to sign a central contract extending for two years, confirming his inclusion in the team for the tour of Australia in 2025–2026. This will give English cricket a new lease on life.
The same research claims that Ben Stokes’ willingness to devote over a longer period of time was a major boost.
This has only happened in a new sequence of events following Brendon McCullum’s signing of a contract to become their head coach and integrate into the white-ball setup, extending his contract with the ECB until 2027.
Ahead of England’s journey to India, the Kiwi is ready to reclaim leadership of the white-ball team from Marcus Trescothick, the former opening batsman. The two Ashes series, the 2026 T20 World Cup, and the 2027 ODI World Cup are the other major tournaments he will be in charge of.
The desire shown by Stokes to stay in regular communication with McCullum is another encouraging factor for the ECB. Together, the two have guided England to 19 Test match victories in 29 games, with the English on a thread-like lean patch before their relationship, having only one in 17.
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The possibility of the ECB extending an offer to the Test side’s deputy captain is also mentioned in the same source.
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