Robinson, Malan and Leach earn central contracts in new structure

England have scrapped the structure of having separate contracts for red-ball and white-ball players that was adopted in 2016 and have instead opted for 'single' contracts for players who will be playing across formats. Ollie Robinson, Dawid Malan and Jack Leach were beneficiaries of the new structure as they earned their first central contract.

Apart from the central contract, Increment Contracts and Pace Bowling Development Contracts were also handed to "players that may feature for England on a less predictable basis and supports developing and managing high potential pace bowlers across all formats."

The new structure was designed after ECB's consultation with the players, Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA). The contracts will cover a 12-month period commencing 1 October 2021.

"I would like to thank TEPP and the players for all their constructive input through the process of developing this new system, which I believe is the fairest and most transparent way of rewarding players across all formats," said Ashley Giles, Managing Director of Men's England Cricket.

"I would like to thank TEPP and the players for all their constructive input through the process of developing this new system, which I believe is the fairest and most transparent way of rewarding players across all formats.

"We have worked well to get to this stage and the refinements made will take into account the amount of cricket we will be playing across formats over the next period of the ICC Future Tours Programme.

"Since the inception of central contracts in 2002, the system has facilitated improved preparation, performance and professionalism of the England team and has ensured that players are well rewarded for representing their country at the elite level.

"The international game continues to evolve, and we have to be mindful that we have to lead the way in player performance across cricket's ever-changing landscape. Our objective remains the same to develop world-class players in all three formats as we strive to become the most respected team in the world.

"I would like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming year, particularly newcomers Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, and Ollie Robinson. Receiving your first central contract is a great moment in any player's career. They will all play a pivotal role in England's fortunes over the next 12 months."

**England Men's Central Contracts:**Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Eoin Morgan, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.

**Increment contracts:**Dom Bess, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Liam Livingstone.

Pace bowling development contracts: Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Olly Stone.