Why did Ben Stokes only sign a one-year contract to play center for England?

The cricket community has gone wild at the news that numerous English cricketers have extended their central contracts with the national side. Due to the enormous growth of franchise cricket, numerous players, including Harry Brook, Joe Root, and others, have signed multi-year contracts. Ben Stokes, the captain of the Test team, declined a multi-year contract. Notably, the premier English all-rounder has only agreed to a one-year renewal of his central deal.

Stokes only agreed to a one-year extension, according to Rob Key, managing director of England men’s cricket, because he wanted to strike a huge deal when the contract ends in 2024.

By no means does Ben Stokes say, ‘I don’t want to play for England,’ all he talks about is being fully devoted to representing England and leading that Test team as they prepare for the upcoming series against India, the Ashes, the West Indies, and Sri Lanka. For the next four, five, or six years, I don’t believe it has even crossed his mind for him to stop playing for England, Key told the BBC.

“Ben Stokes, quite reasonably, believes he will be in a stronger position when the new memorandum of understanding starts and the contract cycle changes. Other athletes have chosen that security, Key continued.