England poised to overhaul central contract system

▶ Reforms could mean end of distinction between formats ▶ Enlarged squads and more fixtures contribute to move

England are considering the biggest reform of central contracts since they were introduced in 2000, with new deals in place as early as the end of the summer.

The changes could end the distinction between Test and limitedovers players and make contracts more forward-facing, based on England’s fixtures in the following season, which could benefit fast bowlers such as Olly Stone in an overseas Ashes year. The reforms could also lead to a greater number of players receiving contracts.

In place of the current system of red and white-ball contracts, which were introduced in 2016 to give greater focus to limited-overs cricket, it is understood two models are being discussed.

The first option would be based on the Australian model. In this, 20 men are awarded contracts each year on the basis of their importance to the three national sides, with all players ranked and paid accordingly, supplemented by match fees.

The second model is to reintroduce the grade system previously used by England, in which players were in one of three salary bands, depending on their importance.

Besides a top-up for the captains, the current red and white-ball contracts are worth a similar amount for each player. But this creates a steep cliff between fringe players who either just get a contract or narrowly miss out.

Chris Woakes, who has a Test contract – worth about £650,000 a year, compared to about £250,000 for a white-ball deal – has not played in any of England’s six Tests since contracts were awarded last September. Jack Leach played all six Tests yet does not have a contract.

Five England players with lucrative Test contracts – Woakes, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer – are likely to miss the two-test series against New Zealand because of Indian Premier League commitments.

At times, players who just miss out on contracts have felt less valued. Moeen Ali was not awarded a Test central contract in 2019, contributing to him declaring himself unavailable for a period and prioritising Twenty20 leagues. Adopting the Australia model or the old system could have prevented this. As a crucial limited-overs player, he would have retained a contract.

A combination of enlarged squads, a bigger fixture list and Covid-19 has prompted the move.

The rotation policy deployed this winter, which will continue into next summer and beyond, and the IPL auction are also factors.

Any changes will only be agreed if the players – represented by the Team England Player Partnership – and the England and Wales Cricket Board agree. But there is a recognition that the landscape has changed since current deals were agreed only two years ago. There is hope that agreement can be reached over the summer, before 2021-22 contracts are awarded in September.

Last year, England awarded 24 central contracts – 12 each in red and white-ball cricket. With five players receiving contracts in both formats, this meant a total of 19 players. Those on central contracts have their availability in domestic matches dictated by the ECB.

While discussions are at an early stage, player representatives anticipate the number of player contracts could increase. “Surely we will see a wider group contracted, especially if bubbles are the norm for the next 12-18 months and squad sizes continue to increase,” said one agent who represents England players.

There are no plans to increase the total amounts spent on player contracts, meaning that in practice any reforms would lead to some players being better off and others being worse off. But there is optimism that agreement can be found between the players and the board.