The Hundred will adopt a new system of player recruitment next season, with the draft to be dropped in favour of an IPL-style open auction that gives franchises the chance to make direct signings on multiyear deals.<\/p>\n
The Guardian has learned that after discussions between the new ownership groups, the new investors have agreed to adopt a hybrid model similar to that used in the Indian Premier League, where franchises are permitted to offer contracts of up to three years that are negotiated directly with the incoming player.<\/p>\n
The recruitment system will be one of the main items on the agenda when the new Hundred board meets for the first time on Monday, with formal signoff of the updated regulations expected in October and the first auction planned for next February.<\/p>\n
The England and Wales Cricket<\/a> Board introduced the draft before the Hundred\u2019s planned launch in 2020, which was delayed by 12 months because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with each franchise permitted to sign two players each from seven fixed salary bands, ranging from \u00a330,000 to \u00a3125,000 for the men\u2019s competition.<\/p>\n While the top men\u2019s salary has increased to \u00a3200,000 and other minor changes have been made, \u2013 such as introducing 10 retained player slots and allowing each franchise to make one direct overseas signing for the first time this summer \u2013 the draft has remained largely unchanged.<\/p>\n A source involved in the discussions said the new investors, who have paid a total of \u00a3520m<\/a> for stakes of between 49% and 100% in the eight franchises, want a major shakeup of recruitment with the emphasis on greater player movement, bigger budgets and more big\u2011name overseas signings.<\/p>\n As a result, the squad salary pot for 15 players of \u00a31.2m in the men\u2019s competition and \u00a3429,000 in the women\u2019s tournament will increase next year. Franchises will not be obliged to spend up to the cap, but a so\u2011called salary collar will be introduced to guarantee a minimum level of investment in the hope of ensuring the Hundred remains competitive.<\/p>\n It is understood that about 12 players in each squad will be allocated via an open auction with franchises able to bid as much as they want, as long as they stay within the overall cap. Beyond that franchises will have the flexibility to negotiate directly with up to three players and offer them longer-term contracts for the first time.<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s Glenn Maxwell could switch his summer commitments to the Hundred under new recruitment plans. Photograph: Darren England\/AAP<\/p>\n While not a completely free market, it is anticipated that the new model will lead to the biggest amount of movement between franchises since the start of the Hundred, as well as giving the players more freedom.<\/p>\n Increasing the salary cap should help firmly establish the Hundred as the second-biggest short-form competition in the world after the IPL. and attract some of the overseas players who have previously preferred to spend the summer playing in Major League Cricket in the United States, such as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Quinton de Kock.<\/p>\n skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers’ thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week\u2019s action<\/p>\n Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/a>. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy<\/a> and Terms of Service<\/a> apply.<\/p>\n after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n The 30% salary increases this year brought wage levels on par with those on offer in Australia\u2019s Big Bash Leagues. The top men\u2019s salary of \u00a3200,000 falls into the AUS$360,000-$420,000 range for platinum BBL picks, while the top women\u2019s salary of \u00a365,000 is slightly more than the AUS$110,000 on offer in the WBBL.<\/p>\n