New ECB contracts announced

[Burma's Finest]

The ECB has announced who will be centrally contracted to play for England for the coming year. The players are:

Ian Bell
Paul Collingwood
Alastair Cook
Andrew Flintoff
Ashley Giles
Steve Harmison
Matthew Hoggard
Simon Jones
Monty Panesar
Kevin Pietersen
Andrew Strauss
Marcus Trescothick
Michael Vaughan

What's interesting is that neither Geraint Jones nor Chris Read have been contracted which leaves England without a contracted Wicket Keeper.

For some reason Sajid Mahmood misses out despite being a recent regular in the test team. Also missing out are Liam Plunkett and James Anderson.

[Source: CricInfo ]

 

[evertonfan]

Ashley Giles gets a contract but Read, Prior or Jones don't?! :

What on earth are they thinknig in contracting a useless spin bowler but not even having one wicket-keeper?

 

[Burma's Finest]

Well, I guess it goes like this: Geraint Jones didn't deserve to have his renewed based on recent performance; and Chris Read has to prove he deserves one (which he hasn't yet).

 

[evertonfan]

Valid point, but surely you need a wicket keeper in there?

 

[Stephen Bailey]

Interesting decision to include three injury prone players, particularly Simon Jones. As big a fan as I am, I'm very surprised to see him in there, given he's been out for over a year and keeps getting injured when he plays a few games.

 

[nightprowler10]

Interesting decision to include three injury prone players, particularly Simon Jones. As big a fan as I am, I'm very surprised to see him in there, given he's been out for over a year and keeps getting injured when he plays a few games.

True. Anderson, Plunkett, and Mahmood all deserved a contract ahead of him this year.

 

[puddleduck]

There is something to be said however for some loyalty to Simon Jones. He did afterall injure himself giving his all for England. Also remember that by being centrally contracted it is mostly to give England the choice over what games players play.

With that in mind, they probably want to pick and choose what Simon Jones and Ashley Giles play next season in county cricket. Same applies to Jimmy, Sajid, Plunkett, and the wicket-keepers. At the moment they need as much cricket as possible, and if the time comes that they fully cement their spot, none of those players have, then they will get centrally contracted.

 

[shravi]

What is wrong with the ECB!? Why the hell did they renew Ashley Giles contract without renewing any keepers contract!? Besides, Giles isn't that great!

 

[GrayNicolls]

Giles isn't that great and people say he played a major part in the ashes winning team. How? Did I miss something? And also I agree with no Wicketkeeper contract as it leaves England's options open.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Giles isn't that great and people say he played a major part in the ashes winning team.

LOL! Who on earth said that?

 

[andrew_nixon]

LOL! Who on earth said that?

Some people on this forum seem to think that averaging almost 60 with the ball in the Ashes was a great performance.

 

[kookaburra69]

i dont see why so much injured players have been given contracts,a bit weir how there is no wicketkeeper there to.

 

[aussie_ben91]

Some people on this forum seem to think that averaging almost 60 with the ball in the Ashes was a great performance.

It's probably because he scored 59 on the last day to save the match.

 

[langerrox]

sweet, im going love holding the ashes this year!

 

[usy]

TBH I'm hoping for some good cricket as always.