Jamie Smith Joins Stokes And Buttler As ECB Announces Central Contract For 2024-25 Season

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

On October 31, Friday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the updated Central Contract list for the 2024-25 season. A total of 29 players received contracts, which included seven two-year contracts, 19 annual contracts, and three development contracts.

Jamie Smith is one of the five players awarded a central contract for the first time. Among the seven players given two-year contracts are England’s Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball captain Jos Buttler. Stokes, who had a one-year contract, has now extended it to two years. Other notable names on this list include Joe Root, who is the England's leading Test batter, and Harry Brook, an emerging star. Fast bowler Gus Atkinson also received recognition after a successful summer, taking 34 wickets in just six home Tests. 

Jamie Smith Earns Two-Year Contract Alongside Senior Players

The 24-year-old right handed batter made a strong impression with 637 runs in nine Tests at an average of 42.46, including one century and four fifties. This performance helped him secure his first central contract. The other players awarded their first central contracts are Will Jacks, Shoaib Bashir, Phil Salt, and Olly Stone, who have all shown great potential in white-ball cricket.

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In addition to these contracts, all-rounder Jacob Bethell and pacer Josh Hull, who recently debuted in international matches against Australia and Sri Lanka, received development contracts for the first time. They join John Turner in this category, representing the next generation of England cricket. Here's a look at the ECB Contract list for the season 2024-25:

ECB Contract List For 2024-25 Season

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