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

England Test captain Ben Stokes has signed a two-year central contract while Jamie Smith (right) is among the players to receive one for the first time. Photograph: Anjum Naveed/AP

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.