Cricket – Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney Secure Record Deals in The Hundred Auction
Cricket – The inaugural player auction for the women’s edition of The Hundred ahead of the 2026 season delivered historic moments, with New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine and Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney becoming the highest-paid players in the tournament’s history. Both cricketers secured contracts worth £210,000, highlighting the rapidly increasing financial investment in the women’s competition.
Record Contracts Mark a New Era for the Tournament
Sophie Devine was signed by Welsh Fire for £210,000, while Beth Mooney attracted strong interest during the bidding process before Trent Rockets secured her services for the same amount. Their contracts set a new benchmark for the women’s tournament.
The salaries represent a remarkable jump compared with previous seasons. The highest salary in earlier editions of The Hundred women’s competition had been £65,000, while the maximum contract during the first season in 2021 was only £15,000. The latest auction results underline how quickly the financial landscape of women’s franchise cricket is evolving.
Danielle Gibson Among Top Earners After Surprise Bid
One of the unexpected outcomes of the auction involved England all-rounder Danielle Gibson. She secured a significant £190,000 deal with Sunrisers Leeds, placing her among the highest-paid players in the event.
South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk also received a lucrative contract, joining London Spirit for £170,000. De Klerk recently gained attention for strong performances in major competitions, including the Women’s Premier League and the 50-over World Cup, where she played an important role for her teams and collected 16 wickets for Royal Challengers Bengaluru during their title-winning campaign.
Mixed Results for Indian Players in the Auction
While several international stars commanded high prices, some players attracted relatively modest bids. India all-rounder Deepti Sharma was purchased by Sunrisers Leeds at her base price of £27,500 after receiving only a single offer during the auction.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh secured a £50,000 contract with Manchester Super Giants. Despite her reputation as a powerful hitter in international and franchise cricket, the bidding for Ghosh remained comparatively limited.
Devine Continues Career After International Leadership Role
Sophie Devine’s signing comes during an important phase in her career. The 36-year-old recently stepped down as New Zealand’s T20 captain after guiding the team to victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. She had already announced her retirement from One-Day International cricket last year.
Her move to Welsh Fire ensures that one of the most experienced all-rounders in international cricket will remain a central figure in the upcoming edition of The Hundred.
Competitive Bidding Battle for Beth Mooney
Beth Mooney’s contract followed a competitive bidding contest between Trent Rockets and Manchester Super Giants. After several rounds of offers, Trent Rockets secured the services of the highly consistent Australian batter.
Mooney has been widely regarded as one of the most reliable performers in women’s international cricket, particularly in global tournaments and franchise leagues around the world.
Investment Drives Higher Salary Cap
The sharp increase in player salaries reflects structural changes within the competition. The salary cap for women’s teams in The Hundred has been raised to £880,000 per franchise, effectively doubling the previous limit.
This adjustment comes after the tournament attracted new private investment, bringing external stakeholders into ownership or co-ownership positions across all eight franchises. The additional financial backing has significantly increased the available budgets for player recruitment.
Teenage Talent Also Draws Attention
Another notable moment during the auction involved young English batter Davina Perrin. The 19-year-old became the first player sold in the event after Birmingham Phoenix signed her for £50,000.
Perrin had previously gained attention after scoring a rapid century off 43 balls during last season’s Eliminator match, marking her as one of the most promising young talents in the domestic game.
Teams Finalise Squads for 2026 Season
Following the auction, all eight teams have largely completed their squads for the upcoming season. Franchises including Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave, Sunrisers Leeds, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire now have a mix of international stars, experienced domestic players, and emerging young talent.
The results of the auction indicate that the women’s edition of The Hundred is entering a new phase of growth, with stronger financial support and greater global interest expected ahead of the 2026 competition.