Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015

Moeen Awarded Second Central Contract By England

Moeen Awarded Second Central Contract By England

Moeen Ali has been awarded his second central contract by England for the 2015-2016 period.

The Worcestershire all-rounder has become a regular member of the England side in all formats of the game since making his initial breakthrough in February 2014 in the West Indies.

Moeen played a key role in England regaining the Ashes this summer and is now gearing up for a hectic winter against Pakistan and South Africa before the ICC World T20 in India.

Eleven England players have won central contracts for 2015-2016.

Durham fast bowler Mark Wood has won a central contract for the first time after making an impressive start to his international career in a summer which saw him win Test, ODI and T20 recognition.

England ODI and T20 captain Eoin Morgan also joins the 11-strong list which includes nine players who were centrally contracted for the previous 12-month period.

The full list of centrally contracted players is:

Moeen Ali (Worcestershire)

James Anderson (Lancashire)

Ian Bell (Warwickshire)

Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)

Jos Buttler (Lancashire)

Alastair Cook (Essex)

Steven Finn (Middlesex)

Eoin Morgan (Middlesex)

Joe Root (Yorkshire)

Ben Stokes (Durham)

Mark Wood (Durham)

A further eight players have been awarded incremental contracts:

Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire)

Gary Ballance (Yorkshire)

Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire)

Chris Jordan (Sussex)

Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire)

Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)

Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)

James Taylor (Nottinghamshire)

ECB’s Director, England Cricket Andrew Strauss said: “We congratulate Mark Wood on winning a central contract for the first time.

"This award reflects his excellent performances for England this summer and our expectation that he will have a role to play in all three formats of the international game over the next twelve months.

“Eoin Morgan’s award reflects his status as captain of our limited overs teams and the wider importance we place on white-ball cricket as we prepare for a busy period of T20 and One-Day International cricket over the next twelve months including the World T20 tournament in India next year. “