England got themselves back into the Ashes with a dramatic win by three wickets at Headingley and one of the stars of the show is set to become the face of a new approach to contracts
Harry Brook is set to be rewarded for his crucial Ashes innings by being handed England’s first ever multi-year central contract, it has been claimed.
Brook scored a vital 75 in England’s second innings in the third Ashes Test at Headingley, helping them beat Australia to stay in the series at 2-1. The 24-year-old batter held together the run-chase, putting on 59 together with Chris Woakes (32 not out) as England got home to win by three wickets.
The innings underlined Brook’s status in the side as he became the quickest player to 1,000 Test runs in terms of balls faced (1,058). And his embracement of the Bazball ethos has impressed England director of cricket, Rob Key, who has lobbied the ECB to change the way they do central contracts.
The Daily Mail reports that Brook will become the first recipient of a multi-year deal when they are dished out in October. Key is alive to the threat from the franchise T20 circuit and wants to incentivise Brook and his peers to prioritise the international game.