Devine and Mooney Top Women’s Hundred Auction as Salaries Rocket in New Era

The inaugural Women’s Hundred auction delivered a dramatic start in London as international stars and emerging players triggered intense bidding battles, sending salaries to unprecedented levels in the competition’s short history.

New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine and Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney emerged as the biggest earners of the day, each securing deals worth £210,000. Their contracts represent the highest salaries ever awarded in the women’s competition, highlighting the rapid commercial growth surrounding the tournament.

Devine, who will represent Welsh Fire, remains one of the most influential all-rounders in the global game despite entering the later stages of her career. Mooney, meanwhile, became the subject of a heated bidding contest before Trent Rockets sealed the deal, reinforcing their batting firepower with one of the most consistent performers in women’s T20 cricket.

While the headline names drew predictable interest, the biggest surprise of the Women’s Hundred auction came with England all-rounder Dani Gibson, who attracted a remarkable £190,000 bid from Sunrisers Leeds. The figure stunned observers, especially considering Gibson’s limited impact in last year’s competition and her recent recovery from a stress fracture.

South Africa’s dynamic all-rounder Nadine de Klerk also secured a major contract, joining London Spirit for £170,000 after strong performances in recent global tournaments.

In contrast, some established names attracted modest interest. India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma was picked up at her base price, while explosive wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh joined Manchester Super Giants for £50,000.

One of the most notable shifts in the Women’s Hundred auction was the dramatic increase in financial scale. The competition’s salary cap has doubled to £880,000 per team following new private investment across all eight franchises. As a result, top salaries now far exceed the £65,000 ceiling seen in previous seasons and rival the pay structures of leading global leagues.

Among domestic players, 19-year-old Davina Perrin became the first name sold, joining Birmingham Phoenix after gaining attention with a stunning century in last year’s Eliminator.

With bidding still ongoing, the opening rounds of the Women’s Hundred auction have already underlined the league’s growing financial muscle and its rising influence in the global women’s game.