Delhi: The England Cricket Board has announced its central contract and development contract for the 2026-27 season. A total of 39 players have got a place in this list released on Monday (12 October). Of these, 30 players are part of the central contract and 9 players are part of the development contract. Experienced fast bowler Ollie Robinson has also returned to England's central contract list.
32-year-old Robinson last got a central contract in 2023. Seeing his good performance after his return, the board has once again expressed confidence in him. Last season, there were a total of 30 contracts for male players including Central and Development categories, which has been increased to 39 this time.
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These 7 players got central contract for the first time
In the new list of England, seven players have been given central contracts for the first time. These include Tom Banton, Sam Cooke, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Emilio Gay, Matthew Fisher and Dan Lawrence.
JUST IN: England announce their men's central contracts for 2026-27 Uncapped seamer Henry Crocombe has been awarded a two-year contract, with 30 full deals and nine development contracts handed out by the ECB.
— Cricinfo (@cricinfo) October 12, 2026
Whereas, Sunny Baker has been given a two-year contract. Jordan Cox and Henry Crocombe have also received two-year deals. The contracts of a total of 11 players will remain effective till 30 September 2028.
18 year old Thomas Rave also got a place
Six players have been included in the list of development contracts for the first time. These include the names of James Coles, Mason Crane, Ben McKinney, Liam Patterson-White, Thomas Rave and Matthew Revis.
This week is special for Mason Crane. He is going to join the England team for the first time after more than eight years. Whereas, 18 year old Thomas Rave is the youngest player in this list. He captained the England team that reached the final of the Under-19 World Cup this year.
According to the ECB, while giving contracts to players, their performance in the last one year as well as their possibilities of playing in all three formats in the future are also taken into consideration. This arrangement covers both test and limited overs cricket.
Changes also took place in the coaching staff of England
With the announcement of the contract, ECB has also made changes in the national coaching structure. Mike Yardy has been given the responsibility of elite national batting lead and Richard Dawson has been given the responsibility of elite national spin bowling lead. Troy Cooley will continue as the elite national pace bowling lead.
Richard Dawson, Marcus Trescothick, James Foster and Eric Simmons will work with Stephen Fleming, the head coach of the England Test team. At the same time, the limited overs coaching staff led by Brendon McCullum will include Sarah Taylor, Jeetan Patel and Tim Southee. Kevin Pietersen will play the role of expert mentor.
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These coaching teams of England will be available for the upcoming test tour of South Africa and limited overs tour of Australia.
List of players included in England's central contract 2026-27
Joe Root, Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethel, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Cooke, Jordan Cox, Henry Crocombe, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Matthew Fisher, Will Jaques, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith and Josh Tongue.
England Development Contract List 2026-27
James Coles, Mason Crane, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Liam Patterson-White, Thomas Reve, Matthew Revis and Mitch Stanley.