England trio awarded contracts

London - Tim Bresnan, Chris Tremlett and Eoin Morgan were rewarded with central contracts by England cricket chiefs on Tuesday after playing key roles in recent series wins over Australia, India and Sri Lanka.

The trio were all members of the England squad which won the Ashes in Australia last winter and have now been elevated to the elite 13-strong list of players contracted by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

"I am delighted that Tim Bresnan, Eoin Morgan and Chris Tremlett have all been awarded 12-month central contracts for the first time," national selector Geoff Miller said.

"Central contracts are designed to reward players who perform well consistently for England and all three have made significant contributions to the team's recent success in retaining the Ashes in Australia and beating Sri Lanka and India at home."

Paul Collingwood, who retired from Test cricket after the Ashes win, is the only player not to have his central contract renewed.