Dan Lawrence and Matt Fisher win places in nine-strong central contracts' contingent from Surrey

What set out in 2000 to protect an elite group of players from being overstretched – especially fast bowlers – has now grown to a highest-ever 39 names as England head into a year in which they entertain Australia in the Ashes and take part in a 50-over World Cup.

That comes on top of a winter which includes a white-ball series in Pakistan, that also involves Sri Lanka, followed by three ODIs and five T20s in Australia before they go to South Africa for a Test series.

A one-off Test down under in March, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the inaugural Test in 1877, is then being staged in Melbourne.