Jos Buttler Extends Central Contract with ECB, Joining Stokes Through 2026

Jos Buttler has extended his central contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for an additional year.

The 34-year-old white-ball captain was already in the first year of his two-year deal.

He joins Test skipper Ben Stokes, who recently signed an extension through the autumn of 2026.

This move comes after Stokes agreed to a new contract earlier in October.

Rob Key, the director of England men’s cricket, stated, “The strength and depth of talent across England’s red and white-ball cricket is evident in the quality of players who are centrally contracted. Both our captains have signed two-year contracts that demonstrate the players’ commitment to representing their country.”

Currently, Buttler is recovering from a calf injury that has sidelined him since June, with Liam Livingstone stepping in for the tour of the West Indies.

A total of 29 players are now on central contracts. Pace bowler Gus Atkinson has also extended his contract until 2026, while spinner Jack Leach and white-ball seamer Reece Topley have agreed to new one-year deals.

Additionally, 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, all of whom have secured one-year agreements.

Batter Jonny Bairstow, who last played for England in June, still has a year remaining on the contract he signed in 2023.

Veterans James Anderson, Moeen Ali, and Dawid Malan have retired, while Ben Foakes and Ollie Robinson have lost their contracts. All-rounder Jacob Bethell and seamers Josh Hull and John Turner have signed development contracts as well.