The Women’s Hundred, a thrilling franchise league in England, is preparing to elevate the excitement of the tournament with a fresh set of rules. These upcoming changes will bring a new level of thrill and anticipation to the highly anticipated 4th edition of the Women’s Hundred.
Overview of the Women’s Hundred:
Initially intended for 2020, the inaugural edition of the Women’s Hundred had to be rescheduled to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tournament features eight teams: Southern Brave, Oval Invincibles, Birmingham Phoenix, London Spirit, Manchester Originals, Northern Superchargers, Trent Rockets, and Welsh Fire. The Oval Invincibles are the reigning champions, having claimed victory in the previous seasons. However, the Southern Brave, led by skipper Anya Shrubsole, emerged as the champions last year, defeating the Northern Superchargers, captained by Hollie Armitage. The upcoming edition will mark the fourth installment of this prestigious tournament.
Retention Window:
In the first three editions, team coaches held the authority to select and retain players from their squads. For the 4th edition, the retention window opened on January 19th, 2024. Each team can now retain a maximum of 8 players from its previous squad. The player selection process will exclusively occur through the retention system and the Hundred Draft.
Salary Increment:
To boost the fourth edition, the ECB has committed to investing £800,000, allowing for a significant salary increase for each squad. This decision aims to bridge the gender pay gap and incentivize overseas players to participate. The two highest earners in each squad will witness a 60% rise in their salaries, earning £50,000 instead of the £15,000 received in the inaugural edition. Moreover, the Vitality Wildcard Draft will enable filling the two lowest salary slots (£8,000).
Impact Player Rule:
Following the Hundred Draft, each team can designate one player as a “Designated Marquee Player.” If necessary, this player can be replaced by either a fourth overseas player or a domestic player in the squad. However, irrespective of this replacement, each team can include a maximum of three overseas players in their final playing 11.
With the anticipation of the 4th edition building up, the Women’s Hundred promises exciting updates and rule changes. From retention windows to salary increments and the impact player rule, the tournament continues to evolve and captivate fans worldwide. Get ready to witness the exhilarating action of the Women’s Hundred as it showcases top-tier women’s cricket and ushers in a new era of competition.