England captains Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler sign two-year central contracts

• Jamie Smith is among five players to get first ECB deals
• Total of players on central contracts rises from 26 to 29

England’s two men’s captains, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler, have both signed new two-year central contracts in a boost to the English game.

Last year Stokes rejected a three-year deal when the England and Wales Cricket Board offered multi-year contracts for the first time, instead opting to sign for 12 months. It was believed he kept his options open ahead of a new memorandum of understanding being agreed.