A new structure for the award of central contracts to England cricketers was today backed virtually unanimously (18-1) by a meeting of the First Class Forum (FCF) at the ECB's offices at Lord's Cricket Ground.

It was agreed to award a maximum of 20 Central Contracts - with no more than between 10 and 16 to be of a 12-month duration. These contracts will run from October 1st until September 30th each year. In addition, in March/April each year, the Selectors will be able to top up the number of Centrally Contracted players to a maximum of 20 with the award of six-month Summer Contracts.

Twelve-month contracts will only be offered to those players who, it is felt, will play a major part in England's activities in the year ahead. This will provide the Counties with increased certainty in terms of staff planning for the following domestic season.

For 12 month Contracted Players, an England retainer will replace the County salary with Counties retaining Players' registrations and with the County contract running in parallel but remaining dormant until the Player is released from his England Central Contract. Pensions and insurances will be covered by the ECB.

The award of Summer Contracts allows for consideration to be given to strong performers on winter tours and at the National Academy. Summer contracts will operate in a way similar to the current Central Contracts with players receiving an England supplement to their County salaries and with the Counties receiving compensation.

The additional costs of the new system, over and above the on-going operation of the current system, are estimated at about £980,000. It is estimated that Counties will save £630,000 as a result of reducing their employment costs of England Players and that, therefore, the net cost to cricket of the new England contracting system is about £350,000.

There will continue to be guaranteed availability of Centrally Contracted Players for the all 'first-class' C&G Trophy matches. The England Head Coach will determine Contracted Player availability for County Cricket for all other matches. With up to 20 Players on Central Contracts, however, it is anticipated that there will be some Contracted Players who are not selected for the Team for extended periods and who will be available for a good deal of County Cricket. In recognition of the often-considerable development costs incurred by counties in producing England players, it was agreed that the ECB would not 'clawback' income from the counties for Centrally Contracted players who are released by the England Head Coach to play for their counties.

The England Medical Team will continue to determine the treatment of injured Centrally Contracted Players. Co-ordination and communication between England Management, medics and Counties is absolutely vital when Contracted Players are injured. In recognition of this, approval has been granted by the ECB Remuneration's Committee for the appointment of a part-time Medical Officer who will fulfil this role, conduct medicals for all England Teams and maintain Player medical records.

Commenting on today's meeting of the FCF, Tim Lamb, Chief Executive of the ECB, said:

"I am delighted that the FCF has supported, so whole-heartedly, the further enhancement of the England Central Contracts system. There has been a very discernible improvement in the performances of the England team over the past couple of years, and this decision is all about giving the England Management further control and resources to produce a world-class team".

© ECB