Home / Sports / Cricket Auctions Shatter Records, Empower Women
Cricket Auctions Shatter Records, Empower Women
10 Jun
Summary
- New auction system replaces draft for The Hundred's player acquisitions.
- Men's competition salary pot increased by 45% to £2.05m per side.
- Women's competition salary fund doubled to £880,000, creating high earners.
The Hundred has embraced a new player auction system for the 2026 season, moving away from its established draft format. This change, fueled by significant private investment, allows teams to set player salaries and teams through an auction. Squads will range from 16 to 18 players, adhering to both a salary cap and a minimum spending requirement.
The financial landscape of the competition has been significantly enhanced. The men's competition's salary pot has surged by 45% to £2.05 million per team. Concurrently, the women's competition has seen its salary fund double to £880,000. This increase has resulted in several female players achieving historic earnings, with all-rounder Danielle Gibson, pace bowler Issy Wong, and spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman securing deals exceeding £100,000.
High-profile male players also commanded substantial figures in the auction. James Coles earned £390,000, and Jordan Cox secured £300,000, with notable deals for Joe Root and Adil Rashid. Teams retain the flexibility to add two wildcard selections following the T20 Blast, further shaping their rosters before the season commences.
