London [UK], March 12 (ANI): New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine and Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney emerged as the biggest winners in the inaugural auction of The Hundred women's competition, each securing a record Pound 210,000 contract ahead of the 2026 season.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sophie Devine was picked by Welsh Fire, while Mooney attracted a bidding battle before being signed by Trent Rockets, underlining the rising financial scale of the tournament. Their deals are significantly higher than the previous top salary in the women's Hundred, which stood at Pound 65,000, and far above the Pound 15,000 maximum salary offered in the competition's inaugural edition in 2021.

One of the most surprising moments of the auction saw England all-rounder Danielle Gibson land a Pound 190,000 deal with Sunrisers Leeds, making her one of the top earners in the event. South Africa's all-rounder Nadine de Klerk also secured a lucrative contract after being signed by the London Spirit for Pound 170,000. De Klerk recently impressed with her performances in the 50-over World Cup and the Women's Premier League, where she claimed 16 wickets for champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

In contrast, some notable players attracted relatively modest bids. India all-rounder Deepti Sharma was picked by Sunrisers Leeds at her base price of Pound 27,500 after receiving a single bid. Meanwhile, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh was bought by Manchester Super Giants for Pound 50,000.

Devine, who recently stepped down as New Zealand's T20 captain after leading the side to victory in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, will now feature for Welsh Fire as she enters the later stage of her career at 36. She also retired from One-Day Internationals late last year.

Mooney's signing followed a competitive bidding contest between Trent Rockets and Manchester Super Giants, with the Rockets ultimately securing the services of the highly consistent Australian batter and wicketkeeper.

The significant rise in player salaries comes after the salary cap for women's teams in the Hundred doubled to Pound 880,000 per franchise. The increase follows new private investment in the tournament, which has brought external investors into ownership or co-ownership roles across all eight teams.

Teenage batter Davina Perrin also made headlines by becoming the first player sold at the auction. The 19-year-old, who gained attention after scoring a 43-ball century in last year's Eliminator, was signed by Birmingham Phoenix for Pound 50,000.

This is how the eight women's teams stack up ahead of the 2026 season.

Birmingham Phoenix: Alice Capsey (Pound 130,000), Ellyse Perry (Pound 100,000), Linsey Smith (Pound 100,000), Lauren Filer (Pound 95,000), Tammy Beaumont (Pound 70,000), Davina Perrin (Pound 50,000), Alana King (Pound 37,500), Jemima Spence (Pound 37,500), Lucy Hamilton (Pound 35,000), Eva Gray (Pound 30,000), Cordelia Griffith (Pound 27,500), Emma Lamb (Pound 27,500), Phoebe Brett (Pound 27,500), Esmae MacGregor (Pound 16,000)

London Spirit: Nadine de Klerk (Pound 170,000), Marizanne Kapp (Pound 130,000), Charlie Dean (Pound 85,000), Charis Pavely (Pound 85,000), Mahika Gaur (Pound 75,000), Grace Harris (Pound 70,000), Amy Jones (Pound 70,000), Deandra Dottin (Pound 37,500), Sterre Kalis (Pound 27,500), Marie Kelly (Pound 20,000), Phoebe Turner (Pound 20,000), Seren Smale (Pound 15,000), Lucy Higham (Pound 15,000), Josephine Groves (Pound 15,000)

Manchester Super Giants: Paige Scholfield (Pound 115,000), Sophie Ecclestone (Pound 110,000), Meg Lanning (Pound 95,000), Smriti Mandhana (Pound 90,000), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (Pound 75,000), Kathryn Bryce (Pound 65,000), Richa Ghosh (Pound 50,000), Mady Villiers (Pound 45,000), Grace Ballinger (Pound 42,500), Maitlan Brown (Pound 40,000), Grace Scrivens (Pound 40,000), Jo Gardner (Pound 17,000), Natasha Wraith (Pound 15,000), Rebecca Tyson (Pound 15,000)

MI London: Hayley Matthews (Pound 120,000), Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Pound 110,000), Nicola Carey (Pound 95,000), Amelia Kerr (Pound 80,000), Kira Chathli (Pound 80,000), Chinelle Henry (Pound 70,000), Kirstie Gordon (Pound 55,000), Hollie Armitage (Pound 45,000), Alexa Stonehouse (Pound 42,500), Tara Norris (Pound 35,000), Alice Davidson-Richards (Pound 30,000), Alice Monaghan (Pound 27,500), Ellie Threlkeld (Pound 15,000)

Southern Brave: Lauren Bell (Pound 140,000), Issy Wong (Pound 130,000), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (Pound 105,000), Maia Bouchier (Pound 85,000), Laura Wolvaardt (Pound 75,000), Sarah Glenn (Pound 75,000), Jemimah Rodrigues (Pound 60,000), Sophie Molineux (Pound 47,500), Jodi Grewcock (Pound 30,000), Lizelle Lee (Pound 27,500), Rebecca Odgers (Pound 15,000), Phoebe Franklin (Pound 15,000), Daisy Gibb (Pound 15,000)

Sunrisers Leeds: Danielle Gibson (Pound 190,000), Annabel Sutherland (Pound 130,000), Phoebe Litchfield (Pound 120,000), Jess Jonassen (Pound 110,000), Cassidy McCarthy (Pound 65,000), Kate Cross (Pound 50,000), Deepti Sharma (Pound 27,500), Bryony Smith (Pound 27,500), Lauren Winfield-Hill (Pound 27,500), Hannah Baker (Pound 18,000)

Trent Rockets: Beth Mooney (Pound 210,000), Nat Sciver-Brunt (Pound 140,000), Ashleigh Gardner (Pound 100,000), Sophia Dunkley (Pound 78,000), Kim Garth (Pound 42,000), Emma Jones (Pound 35,000), Bess Heath (Pound 32,500), Katie Levick (Pound 32,500), Ailsa Lister (Pound 30,000), Millicent Taylor (Pound 27,500), Georgia Elwiss (Pound 27,500)

Welsh Fire: Sophie Devine (Pound 210,000), Freya Kemp (Pound 120,000), Em Arlott (Pound 110,000), Georgia Wareham (Pound 100,000), Georgia Voll (Pound 80,000), Ella McCaughan (Pound 30,000), Heather Graham (Pound 27,500), Sarah Bryce (Pound 25,000), Abi Norgrove (Pound 21,000), Fi Morris (Pound 20,000), Sophia Smale (Pound 20,000), Grace Thompson (Pound 20,000), Grace Potts (Pound 15,000). (ANI)