England has announced central contracts for 2025/26, with 14 players on two-year deals through 2027, 12 on one-year deals through 2026, and four on development contracts, covering stars like Jofra Archer, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root.

Managing Director Rob Key said the new structure is designed to manage workloads across formats and the growing franchise calendar, ensuring England prioritizes all formats where possible.

The plan aims to retain core players while aligning around franchise schedules and providing clear development pathways for emerging talent.

Stokes, 34, has been managing a shoulder issue and a long layoff, but is expected to be fit for the first Test of the five-match Ashes series in late November in Perth.

Publication date of the story: early November 2025.

Notable absences include veterans Jack Leach and Jonny Bairstow, signaling a shift in the squad composition.

Context around career moves and form notes explain why certain players are viewed as winners or losers in this cycle.

Several players did not receive renewals or were placed on shorter deals, including Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Reece Topley, Olly Stone, and the late-arriving Chris Woakes who has retired from international cricket.

Six players had their contracts expire without renewal; Woakes is counted among those effectively out of international cricket.

Lapsed contracts include Bairstow, Leach, Livingstone, Stone, Topley, and Leach, with Woakes retirement noted.

Stokes has captained England in Tests since 2022 and has faced recent injuries, limiting his white-ball appearances since late 2023.

Stokes has reduced his schedule due to injuries, focusing on Test cricket and facing hamstring and shoulder issues.

Stokes’ captaincy began under coach Brendon McCullum, a partnership that could continue through the 2027 cycle.

The lineup signals a focus on retaining key players like Curran, Rashid, and Stokes while integrating new development talent.

England’s strategy centers on balancing all-format workloads and maintaining competitive squads across formats in the coming years.

Overall, the update reflects a strategic shift to balance workload, preserve core talent through 2027, and navigate transitions across formats.

The announcement underscores workload management, franchise calendar pressures, and squad stability across England cricket.

The inclusion of 22-year-old Bethell shows continued focus on emerging players amid the broader contracted group.

The two-year contracts align with Brendon McCullum’s tenure as head coach, suggesting continued coach-captain alignment through 2027.

McCullum remains under contract until the end of 2027, indicating the potential for a sustained captain-coach axis during England’s next phase.

Tom Banton and Jordan Cox were notable omissions from the contracted list.

Development contracts were awarded to six players for 2025/26, reinforcing England’s emphasis on depth and workload management.