The Hundred delivered record-breaking deals as England all-rounder Danielle Gibson secured a £190,000 contract, becoming the most expensive English player in the history of the tournament.
Gibson was signed by Sunrisers Leeds after a competitive bidding process, marking a significant milestone for both the player and the growth of women’s cricket. The deal highlights the dramatic rise in salaries within the women’s game as the competition moves to a new auction-based system for the first time.
Although Gibson’s contract was the largest deal for a domestic player, two overseas stars attracted even higher bids during the auction.
Overseas Stars Break £200k Barrier
Australia wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney and New Zealand captain Sophie Devine became the biggest earners of the day after both secured £210,000 contracts.
Mooney was signed by Trent Rockets, while Devine joined Welsh Fire. Their deals marked the first time female players in The Hundred had crossed the £200,000 threshold.
South Africa all-rounder Nadine de Klerk also attracted a major bid, joining London Spirit for £170,000 as franchises invested heavily in international talent.
The biggest deals from the auction included:
- Beth Mooney – £210,000 (Trent Rockets)
- Sophie Devine – £210,000 (Welsh Fire)
- Dani Gibson – £190,000 (Sunrisers Leeds)
- Nadine de Klerk – £170,000 (London Spirit)
- Issy Wong – £130,000 (Southern Brave)
- Paige Scholfield – £115,000 (Manchester Super Giants)
These figures illustrate the growing commercial strength of the women’s competition and the increased investment flowing into the sport.
Historic Step for Women’s Cricket
The 2026 edition of The Hundred marks a major change in how teams recruit players. Instead of the draft system used in previous seasons, franchises now sign players through a full auction process similar to leagues such as the Indian Premier League.
The auction took place in London and involved eight teams competing to assemble squads for the upcoming tournament. Teams were allowed to retain a number of players before the auction and then bid for the remaining positions within a salary cap system.
The new structure also significantly increased the available salary budgets. Each women’s team had a total salary *** of £880,000 to spend on players, reflecting the growing financial investment in the competition.
For comparison, the highest salary band in the women’s competition had been only £65,000 as recently as the previous season, demonstrating how dramatically the financial landscape has changed.
Breakthrough Moment for Dani Gibson – The Hundred
For Gibson, the £190,000 contract represents a remarkable rise in value. Just a year earlier she was contracted under a £50,000 salary bracket while playing for London Spirit.
The bidding war that eventually saw Sunrisers Leeds secure her services reflects her growing reputation as one of England’s most promising all-rounders. Gibson has impressed with both bat and ball in domestic competitions and has begun establishing herself at international level.
Her signing also highlights the increasing demand for multi-skill players in franchise cricket, particularly those capable of contributing in both batting and bowling roles.
Other Notable Signings
Several other players secured lucrative deals during the auction. England fast bowler Issy Wong joined Southern Brave for £130,000, while England all-rounder Em Arlott was signed by Welsh Fire for £110,000.
One of the most surprising deals saw teenage spin prospect Tilly Corteen‑Coleman secure a £105,000 contract with Southern Brave despite having limited professional experience. The signing underlined the willingness of teams to invest in emerging young talent.
England players such as Linsey Smith, Paige Scholfield and Nicola Carey also attracted strong bids as franchises looked to strengthen their squads ahead of the new season.
Growing Investment in The Hundred
The auction represents a significant milestone for The Hundred competition, which continues to expand commercially. The tournament features eight men’s and eight women’s teams based in major cities across the United Kingdom and uses a unique 100-ball cricket format.
In recent years the competition has attracted major investors, including owners from the Indian Premier League and international business groups. These investments have increased franchise valuations and boosted player salaries across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
The 2026 season will be the sixth edition of The Hundred and is scheduled to run from 21 July to 16 August, with matches taking place across England and Wales.
A New Era for the Tournament – The Hundred
The introduction of the auction system signals a new era for The Hundred as it moves closer to the structure used by other global franchise leagues.
For players, the new format offers greater earning potential and increased exposure on the international stage. For teams, it provides more flexibility in squad building and strategic planning.
The 2026 auction has already demonstrated how rapidly women’s cricket is evolving, with record contracts and growing global interest in the sport.
With stars like Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine and Dani Gibson leading the way, the upcoming season promises to showcase some of the most exciting talent in the world of cricket.
Written by 8jj.com | March 12, 2026
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