The first-ever auction in The Hundred was a historic moment for women’s cricket in England. Teams secured world-class talent, not all with a hard salary cap, the real winners were also the ones who found a steal bid—a player whose impact on the field far outweighs their price tag. The inaugural auction threw up some fascinating bargains, and a few names stand out as absolute masterstrokes by the recruiters.
Sophie Molineux
Finally, we have Sophie Molineux, who was secured for £47.5k. While she carries a slightly higher price tag than the others, her efficiency is undeniable. In her limited appearances (6 matches), she has already picked up 5 wickets with an incredibly disciplined economy of 5.83. Her value lies in her versatility; she is a left-arm orthodox bowler who can bowl in the powerplay and a handy batter who has contributed 65 runs at a strike rate of 118.18. She’s the glue that holds a bowling attack together.
Deandra Dottin
Then there is the sheer power of Deandra Dottin. At £37.5k, she brings an X-factor that usually costs double. Dottin has been a fixture of the competition, suiting up for 26 matches and amassing 534 runs. Her strike rate of 129.92 ensures that her team always has momentum, and her 10 wickets show she’s never just a passenger in the field. For a team needing a closer or a power-play aggressor, Dottin at this price point feels like a daylight robbery.
Alana King
Alana King also enters the conversation at the £37.5k mark. While her T20I stats are impressive—boasting 28 wickets at an average of 23.64—it’s her ability to turn a game on its head with leg-spin that makes her invaluable. In a format where 100 balls go by in a flash, a leg-spinner who can maintain a 7.05 economy while striking regularly is worth their weight in gold. King provides a level of control and wicket-taking threat that usually commands a top-bracket salary.
Deepti Sharma
When we talk about pure value, it’s hard to look past Deepti Sharma. Snapped up for just £27.5k, she is arguably the most economical elite all-rounder. Her track record in the Women’s Hundred is nothing short of clinical. In 16 matches, she has been a nightmare for batters, taking 18 wickets with a staggering average of 17.38. What makes her a steal pick is her economy rate of 6.05, essentially strangling the opposition during the middle sets. Add to that 289 runs at an average of 57.80, and you have a player who wins games with both disciplines for a fraction of the top-tier price.
Choosing the best value is tough, but if you look at the price-to-performance ratio, Deepti Sharma takes the crown. Getting a player who averages nearly 60 with the bat and under 18 with the ball for the lowest price among this group is a masterclass in scouting. While Dottin brings the fireworks and King brings the guile, Sharma’s all-round statistical dominance at £27.5k makes her the ultimate steal of the auction.
Ultimately, value in an auction isn’t just about the lowest price tag; it’s about finding the missing piece of the puzzle without breaking the bank. While Deandra Dottin provides the raw power and Alana King offers the elite spin required to win trophies, the sheer statistical output of Deepti Sharma at the lowest price point among these steals is hard to ignore.
For any franchise, landing a world-class all-rounder who can anchor an innings and squeeze the life out of an opposition’s run chase for just £27.5k is the definition of a recruitment masterclass. As the season unfolds, these four signings will likely be the ones we look back on as the smartest investments made in the draft room.
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