England award central contracts to Archer, Burns and Denly

Saturday, 21 September 2019 00:19 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Reuters: England’s Ashes and World Cup bowler Jofra Archer and opening batsmen Rory Burns and Joe Denly are among a number of players to be awarded central contracts for the 2019-20 season, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

Archer was England’s leading wicket taker in their victorious World Cup campaign with 20 wickets and he made his test debut against Australia, picking up 22 wickets in four Ashes tests.

Burns was England’s second-highest run scorer (390) in the Ashes after Ben Stokes (441). Denly (312 runs) has earned his first white-ball, limited-overs, contract at the age of 33.

Players awarded central contracts will have their salaries paid in full by the ECB.

“Selectors have awarded 10 test contracts and 12 white-ball contracts,” the ECB said in a statement here “Sussex fast bowler Jofra Archer receives a test and a white-ball contract for the first time after his successful debut international season.

“Surrey opening batsman Rory Burns is awarded a test contract after becoming the leading top order run scorer in the Ashes series. Kent batsman Joe Denly is awarded a white-ball contract for the first time.”

However, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett and David Willey have missed out on white-ball contracts for the 2019-20 season, while spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid have received only white-ball contracts after previously having contracts across all formats.

Hales was withdrawn from the World Cup squad in April after British media reported he was serving a three-week ban for drug use.