Zak Crawley has been dropped from England’s central contracts for the 2026-27 season, with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) extending its contracted group from 30 to 39 players. The expanded list comprises 30 full central contracts and nine development deals, with eight players earning new full contracts after impressing the management.
Crawley and left-arm seamer Luke Wood are the only senior players whose contracts have not been renewed. Crawley’s omission follows a disappointing Ashes campaign in Australia, where he averaged 27.30 as England suffered a 4-1 series defeat. The retirements of Ben Stokes and Mark Wood from international cricket have freed up funds for the ECB to expand its list.
The eight players receiving new full central contracts are Ollie Robinson, Tom Banton, Sam Cook, Emilio Gay, Matthew Fisher, Dan Lawrence, Jordan Cox and Henry Crocombe. Robinson is the only one among the group to have held central contracts previously, having been contracted in 2022 and 2023.
Crocombe and Cox have signed two-year deals, while the other six players have received one-year contracts. England have retained several established names, including Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, as they prepare for a busy international calendar.
HOW OLLIE ROBINSON FOUGHT HIS WAY BACK
Robinson’s return to the contracted group follows an impressive comeback to international cricket after more than two years away from the England team. The Sussex fast bowler took 28 wickets in four Tests against New Zealand and Pakistan this summer at an average of 9.32. He claimed two five-wicket hauls, with best figures of 5 for 39.
His performances strengthened his case for a return to England’s plans and earned him a new central contract. Robinson’s resurgence has given England another experienced seam-bowling option as they look ahead to their upcoming assignments.
The other new entrants have also made strong cases for inclusion. Cox and Dan Lawrence impressed during England’s Test series against Pakistan, while opener Emilio Gay has made an encouraging start to his international career. Tom Banton has also delivered important contributions in white-ball cricket.
The expanded list reflects the ECB’s effort to reward performances, retain promising talent and maintain depth across formats. With 39 players now contracted, England have a wider pool to manage workloads and prepare for their upcoming international commitments.
ENGLAND MEN CENTRALLY CONTRACTED PLAYERS 2026-27
Joe Root*, Harry Brook*, Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer*, Gus Atkinson*, Sonny Baker*, Tom Banton, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell*, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Jordan Cox*, Henry Crocombe*, Sam Curran*, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Emilio Gay, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks*, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Ollie Robinson, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue*
*Denotes two-year deal through until 30 September 2028
ENGLAND MEN DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTED PLAYERS 2026-27
James Coles, Mason Crane, Josh Hull, Eddie Jack, Ben McKinney, Liam Patterson-White, Thomas Rew, Matthew Revis, Mitch Stanley
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