The Men’s Hundred auction is set to take place on March 12, 2026, following the Women’s Hundred auction held a day earlier on March 11. This year marks a significant milestone as it is the first time The Hundred is hosting auctions for the men’s category.

In a notable development, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine emerged as the most expensive acquisitions, each fetching a price of £210,000. Their high bids reflect the growing financial stakes in women’s cricket, as franchises aim to build competitive teams.

However, the auction was not without its controversies. Haris Rauf went unsold, and Shaheen Afridi withdrew shortly before the auction commenced, having been originally listed in the Tier 1 fast bowlers category. Additionally, four other overseas players also opted out of the auction.

In the women’s auction, none of the Pakistani players, including Muneeba Ali, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, and Fatima Sana, managed to secure contracts. Each entered with a base price of £15,000 but received no bids, highlighting the challenges faced by some international players in the auction process.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has stated that selections will be based on performance, availability, and team needs, emphasizing a strategic approach to building squads. Each franchise is required to assemble a squad of between 14 and 16 members, including retained players.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact reasons for the withdrawals of players, and the impact of limited overseas slots on player selections is not fully understood. Observers are keen to see how these factors will influence the final team compositions as the auction approaches.

The 2026 edition of The Hundred is shaping up to be a pivotal moment in the evolution of cricket, particularly in the context of women’s participation and investment in the sport.

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