England name record 39 contracts as Fleming era begins
England have put a record 39 men's players on central pay.
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the list for 2026-27 on 12 October 2026, with 30 full central contracts and nine development deals ECB. A central contract means the ECB pays the player directly, rather than his county. A development contract tops up county pay and keeps a young player close to the national set-up.
The full deals are up from 26 last year. That rise was reported by The Guardian. It is the largest contracted group England's men have named.
Four names lead the long-term group. Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer and Jacob Bethell are tied down until the end of 2028.
Five more earned two-year terms. Jordan Cox, Sonny Baker and Henry Crocombe get two years, along with white-ball all-rounders Sam Curran and Will Jacks. White-ball cricket means the shorter formats, one-day internationals and T20s, played with a white ball.
The 12-month list brings a few surprises. Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith, both regulars across formats, were kept to one year. Ollie Robinson also received a one-year deal on his return to the system. Emilio Gay, Dan Lawrence and Ollie Pope were given one-year deals too.
Two big absences shape the picture. Ben Stokes retired from international cricket in mid-summer 2026. Zak Crawley has been dropped.
The contracts land alongside a new coaching split. Stephen Fleming takes charge of the Test team, the five-day format, starting with the tour of South Africa in winter 2026. Brendon McCullum leads the white-ball staff.
Fleming and McCullum know each other well. Both are former New Zealand captains, and former team-mates, friends and business partners BBC. McCullum's four-year spell as Test head coach ended in the summer Reuters.
Fleming's Test group has a fresh look. Marcus Trescothick stays on as an assistant for the Test side only. James Foster and Richard Dawson have joined the staff. Dawson will also serve as national spin-bowling lead and will leave Glamorgan. Eric Simons has been hired as fast-bowling coach.
The white-ball room looks different. Tim Southee and Jeetan Patel will work solely with McCullum's white-ball group. Sarah Taylor is the one full-time English coach on that staff. Kevin Pietersen will continue guest work as a specialist mentor ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
Below the main sides, Jonathan Trott takes charge of the England Lions, the development team that feeds the senior squads. Mike Yardy has been promoted to national batting lead.
For fans, this means clarity for the next two winters. The Test rebuild has a new voice and a settled core, while the short-format push to the World Cup keeps continuity around McCullum.
