England have signed their leading male players to multi-year central contracts for the first time but Test captain Ben Stokes has only accepted a one-year extension.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has been revising its approach in a bid to meet the challenge presented by franchise leagues around the world and guarantee the availability of its star names for international duty.

Yorkshire pair Joe Root and Harry Brook, along with Mark Wood, have all been tied to three-year deals, binding them to the cause until October 2026, while a further 15 players are on two-year arrangements, including Bradford natives Adil Rashid and Jonny Bairstow.

A protégé of Rashid’s, nineteen-year-old leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, has the same two-year security and becomes the youngest man to earn an ECB deal.

At the other end of the age spectrum, 35-year-old Yorkshire batsman Dawid Malan returns to the list after missing out in 2022.

A pace bowling development contract has also been awarded to Yorkshire seamer Matthew Fisher.

Rob Key, managing director of England men's cricket, said: "We are rewarding those players who we expect to make a significant impact over the coming years playing for England.

"It is great news and a credit to the players for demonstrating their commitment to English cricket in the ever-changing landscape of the sport.

"I would like to congratulate all the players who have been offered contracts. They will play a pivotal role in England's efforts over the next few years."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Jonny Bairstow is a regular for his country in all formats of the game.Jonny Bairstow is a regular for his country in all formats of the game. (Image: PA.)

Three-year deals: H Brook, J Root, M Wood.

Two-year deals: R Ahmed, J Archer, G Atkinson, J Bairstow, J Buttler, B Carse, Z Crawley, S Curran, B Duckett, L Livingstone, O Pope, M Potts, A Rashid, J Tongue, C Woakes.

One-year deals: M Ali, J Anderson, B Foakes, J Leach, D Malan, O Robinson, B Stokes, R Topley.

Development deals: M Fisher, S Mahmood, J Turner.

The news comes amid England’s dreadful World Cup defence, with an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka earlier this week virtually knocking them out of the competition already.

Jos Buttler’s side are second-bottom of the table, with just one win from their opening five group games, and their exit is likely to be confirmed if they lose to hosts and tournament favourites India tomorrow.

None of the Yorkshire contingent have emerged from the tournament with much credit so far, though the same can be said of virtually all of their team-mates too.

But there is some new World Cup hope on the horizon for Yorkies.

A trio of Yorkshire Disability stars, Henry Wainman, Cameron Sweeney and James O’Conner, have been called up to represent England at this year’s Deaf World Cup.

That T20 competition takes place in Qatar between December 3 and December 12.