Vaughan handed central contract

Former captain Michael Vaughan was named on Tuesday among a dozen England players to be centrally-contracted for the next year.

Vaughan, 33, was rewarded with a 12-month deal despite his lack of form for Yorkshire since relinquishing the Test leadership last month.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "The award of an England central contract to Michael Vaughan reflects the selectors' view that Michael still has a role to play in the England Test squad over the next 12 months."

He added: "As we build toward the Ashes in 2009, we feel that Michael's experience of previous Ashes campaigns and his excellent personal record against Australia will be an important asset to the squad."

The only change in the group of centrally-controlled players, in fact, comes in the bowling department, with Vaughan's Yorkshire team-mate Matthew Hoggard being replaced by Nottinghamshire's Stuart Broad.

"Stuart has made rapid progress over the past year and adapted extremely well to the challenges of both Test and one-day international cricket," said Miller.

Seven players - Tim Ambrose, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Graeme Swann and Luke Wright - have been awarded England 'increment' contracts for the same period.

These replace previous summer deals for those individuals pinpointed for international action. They will be primarily paid by their counties but receive a top-up payment from the ECB.

Others may also earn the extra payment as the increment system includes a point-scoring facet to reward appearances from this winter onwards.

Non-contracted players will be awarded five points for a Test appearance and two for a Twenty20 or ODI appearance, and the accumulation of 20 points during a 12-month period will result in automatic qualification for the financial prize.