Ashes turned to gold

England's summer heroes may have left the crease, but they're still in - in the money. Russell Hotten reveals their new earning potential

Agent: International Sports Management

Main sponsors: Volkswagen, Red Bull, Barclays Capital, The Sun, Woodworm

Off-field earnings of about £800,000 are likely to rise to between £1.5m and £2m over the next 12 months. Add on Flintoff's £400,000 in salary and win-bonuses and he could become England's highest-paid cricketer ever. Unlike some team-mates, there's no urgency to make a quick buck before interest wanes. Ben Wells, of the sponsorship consultants Redmandarin, says: "Flintoff is a definite long-term brand. His management will be looking at his career development." Watch out for some very high profile endorsements and backing for couple of charity causes.

Matthew Hoggard

Agent: SFX

Main sponsors: Asics, Chase Bats, The Times

In the bracket of players whose off-field earnings should reach £500,000. According to the SFX website Hoggard is available for all manner of sponsorships and PR, from product-launches to motivational speaking to appearances. People who know him say he enjoys the publicity, but does not seek it. Considered a bit of a maverick, but is said to be much smarter than he is given credit for. Is studying IT at the Open University. Pet-food producers take note: he loves animals. "If I had the choice," he says, "I would have been a vet."

Ashley Giles

Agent: Athletes 1

Main sponsor: PSVC

Matt Banes, of Athletes 1, sees no reason why his client should not cash in now. "You never know how long their time in the sun will last," he says. "Cricketers have watched while other sports stars took the commercial route, and now it is their turn." So, expect to see Giles popping up everywhere endorsing all manner of products and organisations. Experts disagree about his off-field value, ranging from £300,000 to more than £500,000.

Marcus Trescothick

Agent: International Sports Management

Main sponsors: The Daily Telegraph, Europcar, White & Case

His failure to set the world alight during the Ashes has undermined the claim that he is heir-apparent to Vaughan, which dents his sponsorship currency. But he can still look forward to doubling his off-field earnings to about £500,000 during the next 12 months. But one agent believed Trescothick's potential value was nearer to £1m, "although his management will have to work hard for it." He would like to be a caddie when he retires, apparently, which must open all sorts of possibilities. Has the nickname Banger: cue a deal with a sausage manufacturer, perhaps.

Michael Vaughan

Agent: International Sports Management

Main sponsors: G&M, Jaguar, Daily Mail, Hodder and Stoughton, Quorn

As captain of the Ashes winners, Vaughan will always carry a premium. His sponsorship value over the next 12 months has doubled to at least £1.5m, but you are unlikely to see Vaughan advertising a drink or fast car. "His calm and confident manner is more suited to him endorsing something more cerebral, like an investment bank," says Ben Wells, of the sponsorship consultants Redmandarin. A book would be a big seller, and command large serialisation rights. He will probably be the most in demand for appearance-money and speaking engagements.

Steve Harmison

Agent: International Sports Management

Main sponsors: Gunn and Moore, News of the World

Newcastle United have already given him a life season ticket, though more lucrative offers cannot be far away. He has just switched agents to ISM, which is great timing for the firm. ISM should not have to do much cold-calling as sponsors will now be knocking at their door. However, Harmison's sponsorship value is estimated at not more than £250,000 over the next 12 months. This is, in part, because of some indifferent performances on the field but also, says one expert, because, "Steve does not seem to enjoy the spotlight. He does not have the effervescence of some colleagues."

Kevin Pietersen

Agent: Mission Sports Management

Main sponsors: Woodworm, Daily Mail, Bed Head, Omega, Red Bull

Like Flintoff, he has the potential to become recognisable outside the world of cricket, and to command sponsorship of up to £1.5m. This depends on whether his remarkable last day at the Ashes is a one-hit wonder. Loves the limelight and is very sponsor-friendly. In his own words: "If I need to raise my levels of concentration [before I bat] I will have a Red Bull." Wears diamond bat-and-ball earrings to promote a jeweller, but allegedly turned down £10,000 from the drinks firm Red Stripe to dye his hair. "He will have to be careful not to damage his own brand," warns Ben Wells, at the consultants Redmandarin.

Geraint Jones

Agent: International Sports Management

Main sponsors: Puma, Soft Co, Jaguar Cars

According to one consultant, second-tier players like Jones could earn proportionately more than Flintoff or Vaughan. "Top players may double or even treble endorsement earnings, but some others will quadruple their chances," he says. "People already know who Flintoff is. Ashes glory helps lift Jones out of relative obscurity." Jones's value is put at close to £500,000. During the Ashes series Jones dropped easy catches. "I think he should be signed up by a butter producer. Adverts in which sportsmen make fun of themselves are very powerful," says the consultant.

Andrew Strauss

Agent: Paragon Sports Management

Main sponsor: Investec

With good management and supportive sponsors, Strauss is a potential £1m earner. Increasingly seen as a successor to Vaughan, so his value will carry a premium. The former public schoolboy (the only one in the England team) was destined for a career in the City. "Not the sort of guy who will end up splashed all over the News of World; successful, sober, stable: ideal for all those City sponsors," says a marketing consultant. And there must be a firm who could exploit one of his many nicknames: Straussy, Jazzer, Moreman, Lord Brockett, Johann, Levi...

Simon Jones

Agent: Charles Collymore

Main sponsors: Puma, about to sign with Nissan.

The photogenic Jones enjoys celebrity parties, and before the Ashes was best known for a picture-spread in a woman's magazine. That should, according to one consultant, "set him up for a couple of laddish sponsorships." Seen as a dark horse in the sponsorship stakes, with potential earnings this year of up to £900,000. Charles Collymore, Jones's agent, says: "I've seen the sort of value attached to Freddie Flintoff. Simon should be good for half that." Jones's Welsh background should also ensure a clutch of niche deals.

Paul Collingwood

Agent: Athletes 1

Main sponsors: Easter GroupPlayed in the dramatic final Test due to Simon Jones's injury - a financial lucky break. Sponsorship value this year has probably tripled as a result to about £150,000. Unless he becomes a regular feature of the England team, his potential is limited. But, as Nigel Geach, of the consultants Sports Marketing Surveys, says: "Collingwood is part of history and that will always make him marketable."

Ian Bell

Agent: Alec

Stewart

Main sponsors: Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank (both owned by an Australian bank)

Had a disappointing series, and as with many players a lot of their future value will depend whether they remain in the team. That said, Bell should increase his sponsorship earnings to at least £250,000 this year. "Players like Bell will always be attractive to sports goods manufacturers and a consumer audience," believes Nigel Currie, of the sponsorship consultancy GEM Group. Boyish looks could make him a housewives' favourite.