PCA WELCOMES RE-STRUCTURE OF CONTRACT SYSTEM BY ENGLAND & WALES BOARD

PCA Welcomes re-structure of contract system by england & wales board The Professional Cricketers’ Association today welcomed the re-structuring of the central contract system for the 2016-17 season which has been announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The PCA were part of the discussion process that led to agreement between the ECB and the Team England Player Partnership which has created a structure under which players in both formats will receive a ‘ranking’ based on their performances on the pitch, as well as a number of other factors, including off-field contribution, fielding and fitness. Those rankings will then correlate with the player’s level of remuneration. ” We are very supportive of the idea that players should be rewarded for their performances across all formats of the game rather than just one,” said David Leatherdale, the PCA Chief Executive. ” The new central contract system sensibly reflects the increased importance of white ball cricket at a time when the ECB are preparing to host the ICC Champions Trophy next summer and the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019. ” I have been involved in the discussions since I joined the PCA in March but negotiations to create the new central contract system have been going on much longer than that. ” I’d like to thank my fellow TEPP advisors for the significant contributions they have made during the constructive negotiations with the ECB which have led to this important agreement.” Under the new central contract system, the England selectors have awarded 10 Test contracts and 11 White Ball contracts. Test specialists and those playing in all forms of the game will have their salaries paid in full by the ECB. Those on White Ball contracts will receive their supplement on top of their County salary. Andrew Strauss, Managing Director of England Cricket, said: ” We believe the restructure of the central contract system will recognise the increased focus of the shorter format and the importance that we place on this as we continue our progress towards hosting the 2019 World Cup. ” It is undeniable that the introduction of central contracts in 2002 has greatly benefited the fortunes of the England Test team. During this period the team has consistently performed well against the other Test nations around the world. We hope that continues over the next few years. ” The international game is evolving rapidly, and we have to keep pace with developments on the field. Our game wide strategy sets out the objective of creating balance between the formats, and this is reflected by the restructure of Central contracts. Ultimately, we are fully committed developing world class players in both Red and White Ball cricket to aid the goal of becoming the world’s number one team.” From those centrally contracted in 2015/6, eight players remain on contract. Jonny Bairstow has been presented with a Test contract. Chris Woakes is one of four players, alongside Moeen Ali Joe Root and Ben Stokes, to be awarded a Test and White Ball contract respectively. In addition to central contracts, selectors can award a limited number of increment contracts. Yorkshire top-order batsman Gary Ballance is a recipient of an increment contract for the next 12 months. The contracts, which cover a 12-month period commencing 1 October 2016, have been awarded to the following players: Test Contracts Moeen Ali Worcestershire) James Anderson (Lancashire) Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire) Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire) Alastair Cook (Essex) Steven Finn (Middlesex) Joe Root (Yorkshire) Ben Stokes (Durham) Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) Mark Wood Durham) White Ball Contracts Moeen Ali (Worcestershire) Joss Buttler (Lancashire) Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire) Eoin Morgan (Nottinghamshire) Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire) Joe Root (Yorkshire) Jason Roy (Surrey) Adil Rashid (Yorkshire) Ben Stokes (Durham) Chris Woakes (Warwickshire) David Willey (Yorkshire) Increment Contract Gary Ballance (Yorkshire) {{ak_sharing}}