Ben Stokes hints at featuring in The Ashes 2027 after signing two-year contract with the ECB

Ben Stokes is one of the 14 England players to be awarded two-year contracts by the ECB.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced central contracts for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday, November 4. England’s test captain Ben Stokes has been handed a two-year deal by the ECB, which signals his strong intent to play for England Cricket Team in The Ashes 2027 at home.

The 34-year-old all-rounder has only represented England’s test team over the past 12 months and has not played a single limited-overs game since November 2023. He was also sidelined from some games due to hamstring and shoulder injuries. However, his new contract suggests he has no plans of retirement anytime soon.

England’s head coach Brendon McCullum is under contract with the ECB until 2027. With Stokes signing a two-year deal, the coach-captain duo are expected to continue for another two years. Since McCullum and Stokes took over the test team in June 2022, England have won 25 tests and lost 14 games. However, they are yet to qualify for the final of ICC World Test Championships (WTC).

Ben Stokes among 14 players to be handed two-year deal

A total of 30 players have been added to the ECB’s central contracts for next season. Notably, Stokes is among 14 players who have been handed two-year deals by the ECB. 12 players have been handed one-year terms, while four players have earned development contracts.

Sonny Baker, Liam Dawson, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton and Luke Wood are five players to be awarded central contracts for the first time. Moreover, Eddie Jack, Tom Lawes and Mitchell Stanley have been awarded development contracts for the first time, joining Josh Hull.

The contract covers both test and white-ball formats and considers players who would represent the England team over the next period. It also recognises the performances of players over the last year. Jonny Bairstow, Jack Leach, Liam Livingstone, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, and John Turner were seven players who were not offered deals.

Meanwhile, Stokes is all set to captain England in The Ashes 2025-26 against Australia, which will commence with the first test at the Optus Stadium, Perth, on November 21.

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