Hundred is stepping into a bold new era for its sixth edition running from July 21 to August 16, 2026. In a move reflecting the global franchise landscape, the tournament has transitioned from a draft system to a high-stakes player auction. Held at London’s iconic Piccadilly Lights on March 11, this inaugural women’s auction represents a huge leap forward, with the salary cap doubling to £880,000 per side.
Franchises are now allowed to field four overseas players per match, a change that has intensified the search for world-class talent. Ahead of the bidding war, several key names have been released, including a mix of local legends and international icons. While the giants prefer elise perry (Birmingham Phoenix) And Smriti Mandhana (Manchester Super Giants) had been secured through pre-auction signatures, the remaining slots will be filled under the hammer.
Tammy Beaumont, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney headline list
The marquee set is a masterclass in T20 lineage. India leads the international charge Deepti SharmaWho had a key role in off-spin mastery and clinical finishing london spirit2024 title win. she has joined new zealandPowerhouse of Sophie Devine And Australia’s batting anchor beth mooneyBoth of them bring a wealth of experience from multiple World Cup victories. South Africa‘S Nadine de Klerk and Australian spinner Sophie Molineux Rounding out a foreign contingent which teams are expected to bid aggressively on.
On the domestic front, England’s greats are equally prominent. tammy beaumontFirst woman to score a century in The Hundred, leads a group of homegrown heroes including leg-spinner wizardry sarah glen and reliable glove work amy jones. inclusion of dani gibson and explosive young talent Davina Perrin It highlights the tournament’s commitment to mixing established stars with the next generation of English cricket.
The competitive landscape has also changed commercially. Four teams will enter 2026 with new identities following IPL-related investments: mi london (formerly oval invincible), manchester super giants (formerly manchester original), sunrisers leads (formerly northern supercharger), and this Delhi Capitalsowned by southern brave.
Also read: Top 5 wicketkeeper batsmen with most runs in women’s international cricket Alyssa Healy
Hundred Women 2026 Auction: Initial Long List
The auction longlist includes 178 players, categorized into tiers that reflect their skill set and market value. While the key names will grab the headlines, the Tier 1 categories are loaded with match winners who are capable of waging a bidding war.
| Social class | Major players in the list |
| marquee household | Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Dani Gibson, Davina Perrin |
| Marquee International | Deepti Sharma, Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney, Sophie Molineux, Nadine de Klerk |
| tier 1 batsman | Liesel Lee, Sterre Kalis, Tazmin Britts, Bryony Smith, Emma Lamb |
| Tier 1 fast bowler | Shabnim Ismail, Issy Wong, Grace Ballinger, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle |
| Tier 1 allrounder | Deandra Dottin, Jessica Jonassen, Georgia Adams, Katherine Bryce, Chinelle Henry |
| Tier 1 Spinner | Alana King, Lynsey Smith, Tilly Courteen-Coleman, Kirsty Gordon, Sophia Smale |
| Tier 1 wicketkeeper | Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Georgia Redmayne, Ciaran Smalley |
A major talking point of this auction is the representation of Asian talent. Despite registration of 17 Indian players, only three, DeeptiRicha Ghosh, And Yastika BhatiaMade initial cut for primary list. Similarly, all eyes will be on Pakistan also fatima sana And Saadia IqbalWhich are part of the long list. Their potential selection is under high scrutiny, as no Pakistani player has featured in a previous women’s season, especially as four franchises are now under the umbrella of IPL owners.
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
