LONDON (AP) — England test captain Ben Stokes was handed a two-year central contract on Tuesday that takes him through to a home Ashes series in 2027.

Stokes was one of 14 players to have signed such a deal with the England and Wales Cricket Board, which has showed faith in the allrounder despite the injury issues that have limited his involvement in recent years.

The 34-year-old Stokes has been test captain since 2022, when Brendon McCullum took over as coach.

Stokes hasn’t played in England’s white-ball teams since November 2023.

Jacob Bethell was also given a two-year central contract having previously been on a development deal. Bethell, who turned 22 in October, has since broken through at international level, including becoming England men’s youngest captain for the T20 series ag

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