Jos Buttler joins Ben Stokes in extending England central contract

Jos Buttler has extended his central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board by a year.

White-ball captain Buttler, 34, is already one year into his existing two-year deal.

He joins Test skipper Ben Stokes in signing until the autumn of 2026 after the all-rounder agreed a new deal at the beginning of October.

“The strength and depth of talent across England men’s red and white-ball cricket is clear in the quality of players who are centrally contracted,” said Rob Key, director of England men’s cricket.

“Both our captains have signed two-year central contracts that showcase the commitment of all the players to prioritise playing for their country.”

Buttler is currently recovering from a calf injury that has ruled him out since June, with Liam Livingstone standing in for the tour of West Indies.

Twenty nine players are on central contracts. Pace bowler Gus Atkinson has also extended by a year until 2026, while spinner Jack Leach and white-ball seamer Reece Topley have agreed new one-year deals.

Five players have signed their first central contracts – wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, white-ball batter Phil Salt, spinner Shoaib Bashir, all-rounder Will Jacks and fast bowler Olly Stone have all signed one-year deals.

Batter Jonny Bairstow, who last represented England in June, still has a year left on the contract that he signed in 2023.

James Anderson, Moeen Ali and Dawid Malan have all retired, while Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson have lost their deals.

All-rounder Jacob Bethell and seamers Josh Hull and John Turner have signed development contracts.