In a recent development, England's Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler have signed two-year central contracts with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The contracts, which were introduced in 2023, cover both red-ball and white-ball players and take into consideration their likelihood of featuring in England teams in the next period. Rising star Jamie Smith has also been awarded a two-year contract, while players like Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir and Will Jacks have one-year deals.
Recent Developments in England Cricket: Central Contracts and Rising Stars
In a significant step, England cricket has recently announced two-year central contracts for star players Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler. This move reflects the ECB's (England and Wales Cricket Board) commitment to developing and retaining top talent.
Background
Central contracts are agreements between the ECB and selected players that provide financial benefits and exclusive access to training and development resources. Players are awarded contracts based on their performance, potential, and anticipated contribution to the England team.
Current Developments
The recent contracts cover both red-ball (Test cricket) and white-ball (One-Day International and Twenty20 International) players. Stokes is widely regarded as one of the world's best all-rounders, while Buttler is a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter.
In addition to Stokes and Buttler, rising star Jamie Smith has also received a two-year contract. Smith, a left-arm seamer, has impressed in domestic cricket and is seen as a potential future star for England.
One-Year Contracts
Several other players have been awarded one-year contracts, including Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir, and Will Jacks. These players have shown promise and will be hoping to earn full-time central contracts in the future.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of central contracts?
Central contracts provide financial security for players and allow them to focus on their cricket without worrying about financial concerns. They also ensure that players have access to the best possible training and development facilities.
2. How are central contracts awarded?
Players are awarded contracts based on their performance, potential, and anticipated contribution to the England team. The ECB considers a range of factors, including recent form, injury history, and future prospects.
3. Who holds the current central contracts?
Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, and Jamie Smith have been awarded two-year central contracts. Phil Salt, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir, and Will Jacks hold one-year contracts.
4. What are the benefits of a central contract?
Central contracts provide a guaranteed income, exclusive access to training facilities, and opportunities to play at the highest level of international cricket.
5. How have central contracts impacted England cricket?
Central contracts have helped England cricket to maintain a high level of performance by attracting and retaining top players. They have played a vital role in the team's recent successes, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup victory.
In a nail-biting Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline, thanks to Noah Sadaoui's late winner in the fifth minute of added time. The match was full of drama and action, with Odisha FC taking an early lead through Jerry Mawihmingthanga, but Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez's goals brought the Blasters back in the game. Despite Odisha's valiant efforts, Sadaoui's goal in the dying moments sealed the win for Kerala, who remain unbeaten in all matches where the young striker has scored.
Cricket South Africa has announced the 15-member squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with Temba Bavuma as captain. The squad includes experienced players like Kagiso Rabada and David Miller, along with newcomers Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder. South Africa will face tough opponents in Group B, including Australia and England, as they aim to win their second Champions Trophy title.
After suffering a shocking defeat in the EFL Cup last week, Arsenal faced another disappointing cup result on Sunday when they were eliminated by Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. Despite having a man advantage for half of the match, the Gunners failed to capitalize on their numerous opportunities, with their lack of a true striker once again highlighting a major issue for the team. As they face a crucial North London Derby on Wednesday, Mikel Arteta will need to find a solution to their attacking woes to avoid a crisis.
In a recent by-election held at the BCCI's Special General Meeting, Devajit Saikia and Prabhtej Singh Bhatia were elected as the new secretary and treasurer, respectively. BCCI president Roger Binny praised their appointments and expressed confidence in their administrative and financial skills. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla also welcomed the new appointments, stating that they are the perfect choices for their new roles. The overwhelming support from state associations also shows a collective commitment to taking Indian cricket to greater heights.
In a thrilling Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters came away with a 3-2 win over Odisha FC, thanks to a last-gasp goal from Noah Sadaoui. The match was evenly matched, with both teams scoring two goals each, until Sadaoui's late winner in the fifth minute of added time. The Juggernauts are now four games without a win, while Sadaoui continues his impressive record of scoring in all seven games in which he has found the back of the net this season. Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez also scored for Blasters, while Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Dori scored for Odisha FC.
Real Madrid is determined to avenge their 4-0 defeat against Barcelona in the previous Clasico, as they face off in the Supercopa final. The Spanish giants have had a successful season so far, winning the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. However, Barcelona has had a tough time lately, only winning one of their last seven league fixtures. With the help of young talents such as Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal, both teams will battle it out for the Supercopa trophy. Football fans in Russia can catch the action for free on MatchTV.ru.
In an intense Indian Super League match, Kerala Blasters and Odisha FC gave a thrilling performance, with Noah Sadaoui scoring the winning goal in the fifth minute of added time. The Kochi-based team put up a tough fight, with goals from Kwame Peprah and Jesus Jimenez, but Jerry Mawihmingthanga and Dori's goals were not enough for Odisha FC. This was Noah's seventh goal this season, as the team continued their unbeaten streak whenever he scored. Kerala Blasters' Kwame Peprah also made a crucial equaliser in the 60th minute, showcasing the team's determination to secure a win.
Manchester City's Nathan Ake reveals that losing captain Kyle Walker would have a major impact on the team's performance. City boss Pep Guardiola confirms that Walker has asked to leave the club, with transfer speculation linking him to both AC Milan and Inter Milan. This news comes after Saturday's 8-0 FA Cup third round victory over Salford City.
After a dominant performance by Karun Nair, Vidarbha secures a spot in the semi-finals of the 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Nair, who is often overlooked in international cricket, continues to shine in domestic cricket with an unbeaten 122 runs off 82 deliveries. This takes him to the top of the run-scorers' list in the VHT and his team to a comfortable nine-wicket win over Rajasthan.
Former tennis legend John McEnroe sparks controversy with his theory that Andy Murray's coaching partnership with Novak Djokovic is a ploy for Murray's own comeback. In an entertaining and candid interview with Eurosport, McEnroe drew dramatic reactions from his co-hosts and shed light on the unlikely partnership between the two tennis superstars. While McEnroe's theory is met with skepticism, it raises questions about the dynamics of the Murray-Djokovic relationship and adds an interesting twist to the highly-anticipated matches between the two players.