Image Credit- ICC
Ben Stokes declined a three-year central contract with
the ECB in favour of a one-year deal, but managing director Rob Key downplayed
the decision, saying: “By no means does it mean that Ben Stokes doesn’t
want to play for England.”
On Tuesday, the ECB released a list of 26 persons who
had signed central contracts, 18 of whom had signed the country’s first
multi-year contracts. The ILT20 in the UAE and the SA20 in South Africa, both
of which are supported by large investments from IPL franchises, have increased
players’ earning potential in franchise leagues more than ever before,
prompting the board to take action.
Stokes’ contract only lasts for the upcoming year, in
contrast to the three-year contracts inked by Harry Brook, Joe Root, and Mark
Wood. Profitable business dealings and IPL contracts—he was signed by Chennai
Super Kings for INR 16.25 crore (about £1.6 million) in last year’s
auction—have secured Stokes’ financial security during his nine years of
service with the ECB.
Prior to the renewal of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and the
ECB next year, which coincides with a fresh cycle of TV rights, Stokes looks to
have kept his options open. Stokes’ representative declined to offer any
insight into his choice.
“In the simplest terms, we have done all of this
stuff – multi-year deals – a year early,” Rob Key, England’s managing
director, told the BBC in Bangalore. “The contracts system follows the
broadcast cycle and the next broadcast cycle starts next year. In essence, to
make any changes, really, you are meant to do that next year.
“[For] Ben Stokes, like people do when they have
an offer of a long-term contract, it is that trade of security over a stronger
negotiating position. Ben, quite rightly, feels when the next MoU starts and
the contract cycle changes, he will be in a stronger position. Other players
have gone for that security.”