Former captain Michael Vaughan has been named among a dozen England players to be centrally-contracted for the next year.
Vaughan was rewarded with a 12-month deal despite his lack of form for Yorkshire since relinquishing the Test leadership last month.
When he announced his decision to step down from the job, he emphasised his need to justify his place as a batsman, but has since failed four times in County Championship innings.
Nevertheless, he clearly remains in the plans of new captain Kevin Pietersen and national selector Geoff Miller confirmed Vaughan's contract at a press conference at Lord's on Monday.
"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," Miller said.
"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."
Vaughan was man of the series during the 2002-03 Ashes defeat and led his country to the most memorable of wins over the Australians in 2005.
The news also suggests Vaughan may well gain a place in England's squad for the pre-Christmas tour of India.
Regarding that, Miller added that scores in the next fortnight were not essential to him being picked for India.
"We will monitor that," said Miller. "It's not over-relevant, though, as we know what Michael is capable of doing.
"Yes it would help his cause obviously if he was going on a tour in some kind of form but I have no hesitation in thinking he will get over this little sticky patch he is in.
"We're confident that the quality he has got will see him through and make him successful.
"It is judgment of what he has done in the past and what we think he is capable of doing as well."
While Vaughan was clearly the biggest winner on a day of new-improved central contracts, Yorkshire colleague Matthew Hoggard was the sole loser.
Swing bowler Hoggard is the only one of last year's central set not to have retained their status - his place going to Stuart Broad.
Miller went to see Hoggard personally to explain his omission and insists such decisions offer proof the England team is not a cosy club.
In addition to the 12 annual deals, the England and Wales Cricket Board has announced an increment scheme in which seven players initially - Tim Ambrose, Ravi Bopara, Samit Patel, Matt Prior, Owais Shah, Luke Wright and Graeme Swann - will have top-up fees to their county contracts.
Centrally-contracted players (for 12 months from October 1): James Anderson, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Alastair Cook, Andrew Flintoff, Stephen Harmison, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Ryan Sidebottom, Andrew Strauss, Michael Vaughan.