In 2025, the top salaries in the men’s Hundred will rise by 60%, with the ECB aiming to attract the world’s best players in the competition’s transitional season. The salary increases come as the ECB works on completing an ongoing sales process, which may result in further hikes in the future. Although women’s salaries have increased, the raise is 30%, and the highest-paid male player will earn more than three times the highest female earner.
This move follows a call from the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) in 2022, which recommended gender pay parity by 2025. The ECB, however, has pushed back against that timeframe. Despite this, the Hundred has seen top women’s players like Smriti Mandhana, Ash Gardner, and Ellyse Perry join the competition. However, some top men’s players, including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Pat Cummins, opted for other tournaments like the Global T20 Canada and Major League Cricket instead.
Next year, each team can use one of their 10 retention spots for a direct overseas signing, giving them more flexibility in player selection. Teams can also field four overseas players, although only three can play in the XI.
With the salary increases, the top wages in the Hundred are now on par with Australia’s Big Bash League. The top men’s salary in the Hundred will be £200,000, and the top women’s salary will be £65,000. ECB director Rob Hillman emphasized the importance of these increases to keep attracting top talent and ensure continued growth for the competition. The Hundred will run from August 5-31, 2025, with fixtures scheduled for release early next year.
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