Jofra Archer secures ECB central contract for all three formats

Emerging speedster Jofra Archer has managed to make it to the list of players who have been awarded a year’s central contract by the England and Wales Cricket Board that will run up to the first of October next year. The 24-year-old, born in the Caribbean, first hit the spotlight after headline making performances in the various T20 leagues around the world, earning himself a place in the World Cup squad. 

He wreaked havoc with the new ball, with his effortless bowling style seeing him take wickets at an average lower than 25. By the end of the tournament, he had gained such confidence of his team that he was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the all-important Super Over in the final, which he helped his team end in a winning cause. He marked the end of the successful summer with 22 wickets in the Ashes from four matches at an average of 20.

Surrey’s Rory Burns also earned his first central contract, though he was restricted to only Test cricket. The 29-year-old has emerged as a top contender for the opening spot in the format which has haunted the team for long now. Joe Denly on the other hand was given a white-ball contract considering his prowess in T20 cricket. Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid were dropped from the list of contract awardees in Test cricket, while Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett and David Willey missed out on any sort of contract all together.

According to the latest reforms, the limited over players will earn full salaries from the Board instead of a supplement to their county salaries. Players in the three formats are given rankings depending on their conduct, fitness levels and performances among other such factors which ultimately influences their remuneration.