Devine, Mooney top women's Hundred auction

New Zealand's Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney of Australia topped the bidding in the inaugural auction for English cricket's women's Hundred on Wednesday, each securing deals worth £210 000 ($282 000)

Allrounder Dani Gibson went for £190 000 to Sunrisers Leeds to become the highest-paid Englishwoman while South Africa allrounder Nadine de Klerk, who starred at the recent 50-over World Cup, went to London Spirit for £170 000.

Former New Zealand captain Devine will play for the Welsh Fire while Trent Rockets won the race to sign star batter and wicketkeeper Mooney, 32.

HUGE bids 🤯

Presenting the 3 most expensive players in #TheHundredAuction pic.twitter.com/Yl4RSIVDUg — The Hundred (@thehundred) March 11, 2026

The Hundred has changed the way teams pick players this year. In the first auction of its kind in a major British sport, held in London, spending on women players skyrocketed.

Last year's cap, under a draft system, was £65 000.

Stakes in the eight city-based franchises – which all have men's and women's teams – were sold last year to private investors, raising huge sums for cricket in England and Wales.

Four of the franchises – Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds, MI London and Southern Brave – are at least part-owned by companies that control Indian Premier League teams.

Women's teams each have £880 000 available to fill their squads while men's sides have a budget of £2.05 million. Their auction takes place on Thursday.

The 2026 edition of the Hundred starts on July 21 and runs for four weeks.