Rising Stars and Franchise Focus: ECB’s 2025-26 Central Contracts Feature Jacob Bethell’s Elevation and Strategic Multi-Year Planning

The England and Wales Cricket Board has announced its updated central contracts list for the 2025-26 season, featuring 30 players across three tiers—14 two-year contracts (doubled from last year’s seven), 12 one-year contracts, and four development contracts—with Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Jacob Bethell leading six first-time senior contract recipients in a strategic restructuring designed to balance workload management with franchise cricket’s growing calendar demands.

The Six New Central Contract Recipients

First-Time Senior Contracts:

Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire) – Two-year contract
Sonny Baker (Hampshire) – One-year contract
Liam Dawson (Hampshire) – One-year contract
Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire) – One-year contract
Jamie Overton (Surrey) – One-year contract
Luke Wood (Lancashire) – One-year contract

First-Time Development Contracts:

Eddie Jack (Hampshire)
Tom Lawes (Surrey)
Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire)

(Joining Josh Hull who retained his development contract)

Jacob Bethell: The RCB Star’s Meteoric Rise

At just 22, Jacob Bethell has earned a two-year central contract—remarkable recognition for a player promoted directly from a development deal following exceptional performances across all formats over the past 12 months.

Career Timeline:

September 2024: T20I debut vs Australia

October 2024: Became England’s youngest-ever T20I captain during Ireland series, leading team to two victories

2025: Debuted in ODI and Test cricket

IPL 2025: Signed with Royal Challengers Bengaluru

November 2025: Two-year central contract (expires September 30, 2027)

Rob Key’s decision to award Bethell a two-year deal—typically reserved for established multi-format players—signals the ECB’s conviction that the Warwickshire all-rounder represents England’s future across all three formats.

The Contract Structure Breakdown

Two-Year Contracts (14 players, expiring September 30, 2027)

Multi-Format Stars:

Jofra Archer (Sussex) – upgraded from one-year
- Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
- Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire) – promoted from development
- Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
- Jos Buttler (Lancashire)
- Brydon Carse (Durham)
- Sam Curran (Surrey) – upgraded from one-year
- Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
- Will Jacks (Surrey)
- Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
- Joe Root (Yorkshire)
- Jamie Smith (Surrey)
- Ben Stokes (Durham)
- Josh Tongue (Nottinghamshire)
  One-Year Contracts (12 players, expiring September 30, 2026)
- Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire)
- Sonny Baker (Hampshire) – first-time
- Shoaib Bashir (Somerset)
- Zak Crawley (Kent)
- Liam Dawson (Hampshire) – first-time
- Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire) – first-time
- Jamie Overton (Surrey) – first-time
- Ollie Pope (Surrey)
- Matthew Potts (Durham)
- Phil Salt (Lancashire)
- Mark Wood (Durham)
- Luke Wood (Lancashire) – first-time

Development Contracts (4 players)

Josh Hull (Leicestershire)
Eddie Jack (Hampshire) – first-time
Tom Lawes (Surrey) – first-time
Mitchell Stanley (Lancashire) – first-time

Notable Upgrades and Strategic Decisions

Jofra Archer’s Two-Year Deal

Archer’s upgrade from one-year to two-year contract reflects his successful return from long-term elbow and back injuries that sidelined him for nearly two years. His fitness and form in recent T20Is and ODIs have convinced the ECB to commit long-term to the 30-year-old pace weapon.

Sam Curran’s Redemption

Curran’s two-year contract represents remarkable rehabilitation after going 10+ months without England selection following last year’s contract announcement. Strong performances for Surrey and Oval Invincibles in The Hundred—combined with his seam-bowling all-rounder value ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup—convinced selectors to back him long-term.

Ben Stokes’ Two-Year Commitment

Despite injury-enforced adjustments to his playing schedule, Stokes’ two-year deal suggests he intends to continue beyond the 2025-26 Ashes, potentially to the 2027 home Ashes series.

Adil Rashid’s Longevity

At 37, Rashid’s two-year contract will take him close to his 40th birthday and the 2027 ODI World Cup, reflecting his continued white-ball bowling excellence and leadership value.

The One-Year Contracts: Uncertainty for Pope and Crawley

Notably, Test regulars Ollie Pope (vice-captain) and Zak Crawley (opening batter) received only one-year contracts despite being first-choice players. This suggests:

Form concerns: Both have experienced inconsistent Test performances recently

Selection uncertainty: ECB leaving options open for younger challengers

Ashes evaluation period: Performance in the 2025-26 Ashes will determine future contract length

Rob Key’s Strategic Vision

Rob Key, Managing Director of England Men’s Cricket, outlined the contract philosophy:

"This year’s central contract group reflects the depth and strength of talent we have across England Men’s cricket. We have awarded two-year deals to our multi-format players, so we can manage their workloads responsibly and give them the stability they need to perform across formats. We have also secured a number of white-ball players on longer agreements to help us plan effectively around the growing franchise calendar and ensure England remains their priority."

Key’s reference to “franchise calendar” acknowledges the tension between international commitments and lucrative T20 leagues like the IPL, where players like Bethell now compete alongside their England duties.

The Financial Context

While exact salary figures weren’t disclosed in the November 2025 announcement, England’s central contracts typically range from £350,000-£900,000 annually depending on contract tier and player seniority. Two-year contracts provide financial security while allowing workload management—particularly crucial for multi-format stars like Brook, Root, and Stokes.

The Ashes and Beyond

With the 2025-26 Ashes beginning November 21 in Perth, these contracts establish England’s strategic planning through:

2026 T20 World Cup (India/Sri Lanka, February)

2027 ODI World Cup (Pakistan/Bangladesh)

2027 Ashes (England)

The two-year contracts for 14 players create stability during this critical championship cycle, while one-year contracts allow flexibility to promote emerging talent like the development contract holders.

The Cricket Standard