The Hundred women’s auction sees record bids for top players

The first-ever player auction for The Hundred has created some of the highest-paid female athletes in the United Kingdom, with salaries increasing significantly due to new investment from the sale of stakes in the eight teams The auction, held in London, saw overseas players command major fees, with Australia's Beth Mooney and former New Zealand captain Sophie Devine acquired for £210,000 by Trent Rockets and Welsh Fire, respectively These deals, along with others agreed before the auction, make the players involved among the highest-paid sportswomen in the UK Young English talent also secured major contracts. All-rounder Danielle Gibson, pace bowler Issy Wong, and 18-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman all received deals exceeding £100,000 The salaries represent a substantial increase over previous years, where the maximum on offer 12 months ago was £65,000 In a development related to the men's competition, Pakistani bowler Shaheen Afridi was among five cricketers who withdrew from The Hundred auction