Cricket’s ever-evolving franchise world had another interesting moment this week as the first-ever Women’s Hundred Auction took place in London. Held in a small but buzzing venue beneath the bright lights of Piccadilly Circus, the event quietly marked a big step forward for the women’s game. With franchises now backed by new investors and a much larger salary cap in place, the Women’s Hundred Auction quickly turned into an evening full of surprises, excitement and a few awkward moments along the way.
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Women’s Hundred 2026 Auction：Big Money And Big Moments
If the aim of the Women’s Hundred Auction was to signal a new era for the competition, it certainly did the trick. For the first time, teams weren’t relying on the old draft system. Instead, they were bidding openly for the players they wanted most, and the numbers climbed rapidly as the hours passed.
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The most obvious change was the money involved. Each franchise had a salary cap of £880,000 for the women’s squads, almost double what teams had previously worked with. That immediately pushed the tournament into a different financial bracket, second only to the Women’s Premier League in India.
A statement signing 😱
SunRisers Leeds make Dani Gibson the most expensive domestic player in #TheHundredAuction pic.twitter.com/Pu9iQqdyY4
— The Hundred (@thehundred) March 11, 2026
Several English players benefited massively from the shift. Dani Gibson became one of the biggest domestic winners after attracting a £190,000 bid, while a number of younger talents suddenly found themselves in unfamiliar territory with six-figure deals. One of the most talked-about moments involved teenage spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman, whose price climbed to £105,000 after a tense bidding war.
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What made the Women’s Hundred Auction fascinating wasn’t just the money though. It was the unpredictability. Some established names went surprisingly cheap, while younger players with potential saw their prices skyrocket. Teams clearly weren’t just thinking about the upcoming season; they were also planning for the future, as squads could potentially be retained for the next couple of years.
When Sophie Devine And Beth Mooney Took Centre Stage
Of course, every auction needs its headline names, and this one was no different. Two of the biggest stars in world cricket, Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney, quickly became the centre of attention as the bidding intensified.
HUGE bids 🤯
Presenting the 3 most expensive players in #TheHundredAuction pic.twitter.com/Yl4RSIVDUg
— The Hundred (@thehundred) March 11, 2026
In the end, both players secured deals worth £210,000, making them the most expensive signings of the evening. It was hardly surprising when you consider what they bring to the table. Sophie Devine has long been one of the most destructive all-rounders in the women’s game, capable of changing matches with either bat or ball. Whether it’s smashing powerplay runs or breaking partnerships with clever seam bowling, Sophie Devine has built a reputation as a genuine match-winner in franchise cricket around the world.
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Meanwhile, Beth Mooney continues to be one of the most consistent batters in modern cricket. Calm under pressure and brilliantly organised at the crease, Beth Mooney has delivered crucial performances in global tournaments, including World Cups and the WBBL. Teams know exactly what they’re getting with Beth Mooney – reliability, experience and plenty of runs. For fans watching the Women’s Hundred Auction, their names being called out was the moment when the room really came alive.
An Awkward Night for Pakistan
While the night brought celebration for many players, it also produced a rather uncomfortable storyline for Pakistan. Several of their players had entered the Women’s Hundred Auction, including captain Fatima Sana, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, batter Muneeba Ali and fast bowler Diana Baig.
🚨 PAKISTANI PLAYERS UNSOLD IN THE HUNDRED 🚨
– Fatima Sana went unsold in the The Hundred Women’s Auction, despite being in great form.
– Even No.1 T20I bowler Sadia Iqbal also went unsold.
– Six out of eight teams are owned by Indian groups. This feels like a slap to the… pic.twitter.com/6bxliPr8Pn
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 11, 2026
However, things didn’t go as planned. Only Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal even made the shortlist for the final stage of the Women’s Hundred Auction, and neither of them ended up receiving a contract. The outcome raised eyebrows, particularly because Sadia Iqbal currently sits among the top-ranked bowlers in women’s T20 internationals. On paper, it looked like the kind of player most teams would at least consider.
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Before the Women’s Hundred Auction, there had already been speculation that franchises linked to Indian Premier League ownership groups might hesitate to sign Pakistani players. The ECB moved quickly to address those rumours, making it clear that nationality would play no role in the selection process and that teams would choose purely based on performance, availability and squad balance. Even so, the final result still felt slightly awkward from the outside.
Final Words
Despite a few controversies, the overall feeling from the Women’s Hundred Auction was one of progress. The financial growth alone shows how quickly women’s cricket has evolved over the past decade.
Making major moves 😎
Take a look at the first signing of each team in #TheHundredAuction ✍️ pic.twitter.com/6eiscJFHOs
— The Hundred (@thehundred) March 11, 2026
For players like Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney, the big contracts simply reflect their status as global stars. But perhaps the more exciting story is what this means for younger cricketers. Seeing players land life-changing deals at events like the Women’s Hundred Auction sends a powerful message: women’s cricket is no longer just a passion – it can genuinely be a career. And if this first Women’s Hundred Auction is anything to go by, the next few years could be very interesting indeed.
