Big-Money Deals Reshape the Hundred as Equity Sale Sparks Player Scramble

The Hundred is braced for its most lucrative season yet, with major England stars lining up record-breaking contracts following a transformative equity sale that has shifted operational control from the ECB to host counties and private investors. With the retention window opening on November 27 and the inaugural auctions scheduled for March, franchises are moving swiftly to lock in their biggest names.

Brook set to top earnings with £470,000 deal

Harry Brook is poised to become the highest-paid player in the competition’s history, agreeing a deal worth around £470,000 to remain with his rebranded franchise, Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers). Currently in Noosa during England’s mid-Ashes break, Brook has captained the Superchargers for the past two seasons and remains a centrepiece of the team’s future despite serving a two-year IPL ban.

The equity restructure—under which seven of the eight teams now operate as joint ventures between host counties and private backers—has rapidly escalated top salaries. The men’s highest pay band has risen from £125,000 in 2024 to £200,000 for 2025, while the women’s band has increased from £50,000 to £65,000. Sunrisers are the lone exception to the shared-ownership model after buying out Yorkshire’s 51% stake earlier this year.

Big names targeted across the league

Phil Salt is expected to command around £450,000 after Welsh Fire beat off competition from London Spirit and Manchester Super Giants. Salt, born in North Wales, leaves Manchester Originals after captaining them for the past two years.

Sunrisers have also secured Brydon Carse and Mitchell Marsh and are exploring the addition of an overseas fast bowler. Daniel Vettori will take over as head coach following Andrew Flintoff’s departure amid a dispute over contract terms.

Welsh Fire, meanwhile, continue to lean on ties with their sister franchise Washington Freedom. Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra are among their leading targets under coaching duo Mike Hussey and Michael Klinger.

Manchester Super Giants are preparing to retain Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad and Heinrich Klaasen, with Tom Moody overseeing the franchise globally and Justin Langer tipped to replace Simon Katich as coach. Trent Rockets, guided by Peter Moores and Adam Voges, have lined up Joe Root and Ben Duckett.

Birmingham Phoenix are pursuing Rehan Ahmed and Donovan Ferreira while planning to keep Jacob Bethell under new coach Shane Bond. MI London are expected to retain Sam Curran, Will Jacks and Rashid Khan, with Nicholas Pooran or Trent Boult likely completing their overseas roster.

London Spirit have already signed Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton, are targeting Adam Zampa, and have appointed Dinesh Karthik as batting coach and mentor. Southern Brave have secured Jofra Archer on a substantial deal and are closing in on Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Tristan Stubbs under new owners GMR Group.

Women’s Hundred sees major movement

In the women’s competition, Marizanne Kapp is set for a high-profile switch to London Spirit after five years with Oval Invincibles. Manchester Super Giants have landed former Australia captain Meg Lanning and will appoint Matthew Mott as head coach.

Lauren Bell has signed a major new contract with Southern Brave despite strong outside interest, while Freya Kemp is on course to join Welsh Fire on a six-figure deal. Defending champions Sunrisers are expected to retain both Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland.

Auction countdown begins

All retentions across the men’s and women’s leagues must be finalised by January 16, ahead of the Hundred’s first-ever auctions in March. The 2026 competition will run from July 21 to August 16, sitting between England’s home series against India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile, several England internationals—including Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith and leading Hundred wicket-taker Josh Tongue—are eyeing further earnings in next week’s IPL auction.