Jofra Archer, Rory Burns & Joe Denly handed England central contracts

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Rory Burns and Jofra ArcherImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Rory Burns and Jofra Archer have been rewarded for breakthrough international seasons

England have awarded central contracts to fast bowler Jofra Archer and Test opener Rory Burns for the first time.

Sussex's Archer is handed a contract in both Test and limited-overs cricket, while Surrey's Burns earns a Test deal.

Also joining the list of contracts for the 2019-20 season is Kent batsman Joe Denly, who has a white-ball deal.

However, bowler Liam Plunkett, who played in the World Cup-winning team, loses his limited-overs contract, as do David Willey and Alex Hales.

England's director of cricket Ashley Giles said the fact there are 10 players contracted to Test cricket and 12 to the white-ball disciplines was not significant.

"That is not a reflection on how important each of the formats are," Giles told BBC Sport. "In Test cricket it is probably a reflection there are places still up for grabs.

"We have had a strong focus on white-ball cricket, I think we need to address that balance. Test cricket is really important to us and as you can see by the crowds, public support for the longer form is still there in this country and we need to protect it and look after it.

"There is a balance. It is that tricky balance of trying to compete across extremes."

Who else was handed central deals?

Image source, Liam Plunkett
Image caption,

Surrey's Liam Plunkett tweeted hours after the central contracts decision was announced

Spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid, who had been contracted in all formats of the game, are now only on white-ball deals, while Somerset spinner Jack Leach has been awarded an incremental contract for 2019-20.

Worcestershire's Moeen, 32, has requested time away from first-class cricket following a "challenging" summer in which he was dropped after the first Ashes Test, but he is "not retiring" from the longer format, says Giles.

"Moeen has been a great servant to this team and that's why I encouraged him to leave that option open to come back," Giles added.

Burns, Denly and Leach have also been retrospectively given incremental contracts for 2018-19 in recognition of their performances this summer.

Eoin Morgan, who has said he wants to carry on as limited-overs captain if his troublesome back allows, retains his white-ball contract for the next 12 months, suggesting he will remain in his post.

Giles, 46, added: "When we met soon after the World Cup, he was very open with me. He is a very mature leader and man. He wanted time to think about that future but came back to me soon after and gave me his full commitment. What he has achieved with the white ball team alongside [former coach] Trevor [Bayliss] has been nothing short of amazing."

Expect changes in New Zealand

All-rounder Willey and batsman Hales were both left out of the World Cup squad, with Hales having been suspended, external in April for an "off-field incident". The Guardian reported he had failed a recreational drugs test.

Hales has not played for England since the suspension, though he has appeared for his county Nottinghamshire and in the Caribbean Premier League.

Barbados-born Archer was rewarded for a breakthrough debut international season in which he finished as England's leading wicket-taker as they won the World Cup in July. Left-hander Burns was their second highest Ashes scorer behind star all-rounder Ben Stokes.

"I think Jofra is capable of everything," Giles added. "His dad told me he thought he would hit 100mph next year. We have to look after him. It's not easy to bowl that pace consistently.

"We have talked about resting a number of people in the T20 series in New Zealand. That will allow us to focus more on youngsters and put more focus on the Test series."

How do the central contracts work?

Players contracted for Tests or in all formats have their salaries paid in full by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Test contracts are worth up to £600,000 a year and the white-ball contract pays out up to £275,000.

Those on limited-overs contracts currently receive a supplement on top of their county salary - but from 1 February 2020, will be paid in full by the ECB.

All players receive a ranking based on on-field performance as well as other factors including "off-field contribution, fielding and fitness" - with those rankings correlating with the level of financial remuneration.

ECB contracts for 2019-20 (for 12 months, begin 1 October 2019)

Test and ODI/T20 contracts: Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).

Test contracts: James Anderson (Lancashire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Sam Curran (Surrey),

ODI/T20 contracts: Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Joe Denly (Kent), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham).

Incremental contracts: Tom Curran (Surrey), Jack Leach (Somerset).