Foster stays in England elite

Ramprakash had a torrid winter for England

England have given central contracts to only 11 players, including young wicket-keeper James Foster, but both Mark Ramprakash and Ian Bell miss out.

Bell was expected to benefit from Ramprakash's poor form over the winter after the Surrey batsman told BBC Sport Online he didn't think he would get a contract.

But both men have been omitted, along with Alec Stewart, who had hoped to profit from Foster's erratic form with the gloves in India and New Zealand.

  The lucky 11

Nasser Hussain (capt.)

Marcus Trescothick (vice-capt.)

Michael Vaughan

Mark Butcher

Graham Thorpe

Andrew Flintoff

James Foster

Ashley Giles

Andy Caddick

Darren Gough

Matthew Hoggard

There are no other surprises in the list - ten of the 11 players featured in all three Tests in New Zealand, with Darren Gough the only addition.

The return of England's premier paceman is no surprise. He is among the world's top 10 bowlers, but missed the winter contract because he chose to rest during the Indian part of the tour.

Foster, who plays for Essex, will hope to continue the promising batting he has shown for his country, but will need to work hard to reduce his mistakes behind the stumps.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "We have been very happy with James's efforts over the winter.

"The situation has been explained to Alec Stewart and I can confirm that he will not be excluded from future discussions regarding Team selection."

Bell was tipped to make a list of 12

Craig White - the experienced Yorkshire all-rounder who scored his first Test century at Ahmedabad - loses his contract.

And Durham bowler Steve Harmison misses out despite impressing along with Bell on the Academy tour to Australia.

Harmison, 23, is highly rated by Nasser Hussain as a genuine pace bowler.

But as there are only 11 contracts - four fewer than Hussain and coach Duncan Fletcher would like to see - there is no space for untried rookies like Harmison.

More contracts?

Most centrally-contracted players will miss the first Championship match in the county season, plus some of the early Benson & Hedges Cup games.

Somerset have announced that Andy Caddick and Marcus Trescothick will first appear against Gloucestershire at Bristol on 5 May.

John Carr, ECB Director of Cricket Operations, added there would be moves to increase the number of players on contract.

On Thursday, the First Class Forum will decide whether to increase the number, but it is unlikely they would go as far as in Australia, where 25 players are on central contracts.