Friday 12 September 2014 12:05, UK
The England and Wales Cricket Board has offered six players a central contract for the first time after unveiling a 12-man list on Thursday.
Moeen Ali, Gary Ballance, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes are the new boys - all having figured in Tests this summer and in contention to play in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand early next year.
Tim Bresnan has not been retained on a central contract - one of five to lose that status, among whom only he and Jonathan Trott are currently fit and playing regular cricket for their counties.
The others no longer on the list are Kevin Pietersen, controversially axed by England after their Ashes whitewash last winter, Matt Prior - who had to miss much of the summer with injury and has just had an Achilles operation - and the retired Graeme Swann.
After a difficult year but following his recent return in the Royal London Series, fast bowler Steven Finn retains his full contract.
England have also kept five players - Ravi Bopara, Alex Hales, Eoin Morgan, Liam Plunkett and James Tredwell - on increment deals.
There is no full contract therefore for a prospective Test opening partner for captain Alastair Cook, a position filled throughout this season by Sam Robson but one which has not earned him a contract.
National selector James Whitaker said: "The awarding of contracts enables the selectors and team management to plan for the next 12 months of international cricket.
"We have been hugely encouraged by the rapid development of a host of younger players in the last year, and this is reflected in a total of six players being awarded 12-month central contracts for the first time."
The full list of centrally contracted players is: MM Ali (Worcestershire), JM Anderson (Lancashire), GS Ballance (Yorkshire), IR Bell (Warwickshire), SCJ Broad (Nottinghamshire), JC Buttler (Lancashire), AN Cook (Essex), ST Finn (Middlesex), CJ Jordan (Sussex), JE Root (Yorkshire), BA Stokes (Durham), CRWoakes (Warwickshire).
A further five players have been awarded increment contracts: Ravi Bopara (Essex), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Liam Plunkett (Yorkshire), James Tredwell (Kent)
