Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney and New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine made history on March 11, 2026, securing record-breaking contracts worth £210,000 each in the inaugural Women's Hundred auction. This landmark event saw both players become the highest earners in the competition's history, highlighting a new era of significant investment and professionalization in women's cricket. Mooney will join the Trent Rockets, while Devine is set to play for the Welsh Fire for the upcoming 2026 season.
Record-Breaking Deals Transform Women's Cricket Salaries
The £210,000 paydays represent a dramatic increase in player earnings within The Hundred. This figure is more than three times higher than the previous top wage of £65,000 in 2025 and an astonishing 14 times the £15,000 maximum salary offered in the competition's inaugural edition in 2021. The significant surge in salaries follows a major financial boost for the competition. Private investors bought stakes in all eight Hundred franchises last year, bringing fresh riches to the tournament. Thisinvestment directly led to the women's salary cap doubling to £880,000 per team for the 2026 season.[cricket+5]
The shift from a traditional draft system to an auction format for the women's competition also played a crucial role in driving up player values. The auction created a "feverish bidding war" for top talent, with teams actively competing for desired players. For example, Trent Rockets and Manchester Super Giants engaged in a competitive battle for Beth Mooney's signature before the Rockets secured her services. This competitive environment pushed salaries to unprecedented levels.[wisden+10]
The new salary benchmarks in The Hundred now surpass the highest salaries in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and are comparable to wages offered in India's Women's Premier League (WPL). This shows The Hundred's growing stature as a premier destination for global cricketing talent. Beyond Mooney and Devine, other players also secured substantial contracts. England all-rounder Dani Gibson earned £190,000 with Sunrisers Leeds, making her the highest-paid Englishwoman. South Africa's Nadine de Klerk went to London Spirit for £170,000, and Australian Jess Jonassen was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds for £110,000. These figures underscore the widespread impact of the increased investment across the league.[rnz+10]
A New Era for The Hundred Women's Competition
The inaugural Women's Hundred auction marks a pivotal moment for the competition, ushering in an era of enhanced financial stability and professional recognition for its female athletes. The tournament has consistently marketed its men's and women's teams equally, promoting a "one club mantra" that has resonated with fans and stakeholders alike. This commitment to equality, coupled with the new investment, is now translating into tangible financial benefits for the players.[sportspro]
The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) has previously highlighted the increasing interest, viewership, and ticket sales for women's Hundred matches. The PCA also praised positive developments like the alignment of international match fees between men and women and an aligned minimum wage in domestic cricket. The significant increase in player salaries in The Hundred further solidifies the professional pathway for women cricketers. The competition has become a "game-changer" for women's cricket, raising standards both on and off the field.[sportspro+1]
Meg Lanning, captain of the Manchester Super Giants, expressed her team's strong desire to sign Beth Mooney during the auction. "But we got some good players and filled some gaps," Lanning said after her team acquired other talents like quick Maitlan Brown for £40,000. This demonstrates the intense competition among franchises to secure top players and build strong squads.[sportspro+1]
Global Talent Attracted to UK's Premier Short-Format League
The increased financial incentives have strengthened The Hundred's ability to attract and retain elite global talent. The 2026 season will feature a strong contingent of international stars from cricketing powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India.
Australian players, in particular, were highly sought after in the auction. Ellyse Perry will captain Birmingham Phoenix, and Meg Lanning will lead the Super Giants. Ash Gardner joined Beth Mooney at the Trent Rockets for £100,000, while Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield were six-figure signings for Sunrisers Leeds. Georgia Wareham also commanded a six-figure salary, joining Welsh Fire. This influx of top international cricketers ensures a high standard of play and increased global appeal for the tournament.[cricket+6]
Sophie Devine, a prominent figure in New Zealand cricket, recently stepped down as the White Ferns' T20 captain after leading them to victory in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. She also retired from One-Day Internationals late last year. Her recordcontract with Welsh Fire marks a new chapter in her distinguished career. Beth Mooney, known for her consistent performance, was the top scorer in the Women's Big Bash League, making her a highly valuable asset for Trent Rockets.[livemint+1]
The record paydays for Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine represent a significant milestone, reflecting the growing value and recognition of women's cricket on the global stage. This surge in investment and player salaries promises an exciting and highly competitive 2026 season for The Hundred.[cricket+1]
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney and New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine made history on March 11, 2026, securing record-breaking contracts worth £210,000 each in the inaugural Women's Hundred auction. This landmark event saw both players become the highest earners in the competition's history, highlighting a new era of significant investment and professionalization in women's cricket. Mooney will join the Trent Rockets, while Devine is set to play for the Welsh Fire for the upcoming 2026 season.
Record-Breaking Deals Transform Women's Cricket Salaries
The £210,000 paydays represent a dramatic increase in player earnings within The Hundred. This figure is more than three times higher than the previous top wage of £65,000 in 2025 and an astonishing 14 times the £15,000 maximum salary offered in the competition's inaugural edition in 2021. The significant surge in salaries follows a major financial boost for the competition. Private investors bought stakes in all eight Hundred franchises last year, bringing fresh riches to the tournament. This investment directly led to the women's salary cap doubling to £880,000 per team for the 2026 season.[cricket+5]
The shift from a traditional draft system to an auction format for the women's competition also played a crucial role in driving up player values. The auction created a "feverish bidding war" for top talent, with teams actively competing for desired players. For example, TrentRockets and Manchester Super Giants engaged in a competitive battle for Beth Mooney's signature before the Rockets secured her services. This competitive environment pushed salaries to unprecedented levels.[wisden+10]
The new salary benchmarks in The Hundred now surpass the highest salaries in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) and are comparable to wages offered in India's Women's Premier League (WPL). This shows The Hundred's growing stature as a premier destination for global cricketing talent. Beyond Mooney and Devine, other players also secured substantial contracts. England all-rounder Dani Gibson earned £190,000 with Sunrisers Leeds, making her the highest-paid Englishwoman. South Africa's Nadine de Klerk went to London Spirit for £170,000, and Australian Jess Jonassen was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds for £110,000. These figures underscore the widespread impact of the increased investment across the league.[rnz+10]
A New Era for The Hundred Women's Competition
The inaugural Women's Hundred auction marks a pivotal moment for the competition, ushering in an era of enhanced financial stability and professional recognition for its female athletes. The tournament has consistently marketed its men's and women's teams equally, promoting a "one club mantra" that has resonated with fans and stakeholders alike. This commitment to equality, coupled with the new investment, is now translating into tangible financial benefits for the players.[sportspro]
The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) has previously highlighted the increasing interest, viewership, and ticket sales for women's Hundred matches. The PCA also praised positive developments like the alignment of international match fees between men and women and an aligned minimum wage in domestic cricket. The significant increase in player salaries in The Hundred further solidifies the professional pathway for women cricketers. The competition has become a "game-changer" for women's cricket, raising standards both on and off the field.[sportspro+1]
Meg Lanning, captainof the Manchester Super Giants, expressed her team's strong desire to sign Beth Mooney during the auction. "But we got some good players and filled some gaps," Lanning said after her team acquired other talents like quick Maitlan Brown for £40,000. This demonstrates the intense competition among franchises to secure top players and build strong squads.[sportspro+1]
Global Talent Attracted to UK's Premier Short-Format League
The increased financial incentives have strengthened The Hundred's ability to attract and retain elite global talent. The 2026 season will feature a strong contingent of international stars from cricketing powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India.
Australian players, in particular, were highly sought after in the auction. Ellyse Perry will captain Birmingham Phoenix, and Meg Lanning will lead the Super Giants. Ash Gardner joined Beth Mooney at the Trent Rockets for £100,000, while Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield were six-figure signings for Sunrisers Leeds. Georgia Wareham also commanded a six-figure salary, joining Welsh Fire. This influx of top international cricketers ensures a high standard of play and increased global appeal for the tournament.[cricket+6]
Sophie Devine, a prominent figure in New Zealand cricket, recently stepped down as the White Ferns' T20 captain after leading them to victory in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024. She also retired from One-Day Internationals late last year. Her record contract with Welsh Fire marks a new chapter in her distinguished career. Beth Mooney, known for her consistent performance, was the top scorer in the Women's Big Bash League, making her a highly valuable asset for Trent Rockets.[livemint+1]
The record paydays forBeth Mooney and Sophie Devine represent a significant milestone, reflecting the growing value and recognition of women's cricket on the global stage. This surge in investment and player salaries promises an exciting and highly competitive 2026 season for The Hundred.[cricket+1]
