Stokes commits to England role

SKIPPER SIGNS A NEW TWO-YEAR CENTRAL CONTRACT

- DUNCAN BECH

BEN Stokes and Jos Buttler, England's Test and limitedrespectively, overs captains have each signed new two-year central contracts.

Last October, Stokes declined a three-year deal when the England and Wales Cricket Board rolled out multi-year contracts for the first time and instead elected to sign a shorter-term 12-month option.

As expected, Stokes has committed to England until at least 2026, covering next winter's all-important Ashes series in Australia, while Buttler has agreed fresh terms, extending his contract by 12 months.

Buttler, who has not played competitively since late June due to a nagging calf injury, has not been retained by Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals.

He has been at the Royals since 2018 and was the IPL's MVP two years ago so a new multi-year deal with England, which were introduced to ward off interest from franchise leagues, may sugar the pill.