Beth Mooney Ties Record in Women's Hundred Auction with $395,000 Payday
Australia's prolific wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney has capitalised on her consistent excellence, earning a joint-record payday of £210,000 (approximately $A395,000) in the auction for the Women's Hundred. The 32-year-old star was the centre of a heated bidding war between Trent Rockets and Manchester Super Giants, with the Nottingham-based Rockets ultimately securing her signature for the month-long tournament in July and August.
Historic Auction Sets New Standards
Following Britain's inaugural major players' auction for any sports event on Wednesday, Mooney enters the tournament as the joint-highest earner alongside New Zealand allrounder Sophie Devine, who was also purchased by Welsh Fire for £210,000. Mooney's demand was so high that her fee nearly quintupled that of Australia's captain Sophie Molineux, who was acquired by Southern Brave for £47,500 ($A89,000), appearing as a bargain in comparison.
Other Australian Stars Secure Lucrative Deals
Other Australian allrounders fared significantly better than the national skipper. Jess Jonassen, who recently stepped down as captain of Brisbane Heat and Queensland Fire, was snapped up by Sunrisers Leeds for £110,000 ($A206,000). Meanwhile, Nicola Carey joined MI London for £95,000 ($A178,000). These players have all benefited from India's substantial investment in the competition, injecting fresh riches into The Hundred.
Mooney's jackpot represents more than three times the previous top wage of £65,000 ($A122,000), highlighting the growing financial clout of women's cricket. All players acquired in the central London auction join big-name Australians who were pre-signed, including Ellyse Perry, who will captain Birmingham Phoenix, and Meg Lanning, who will lead the Super Giants.
Lanning Reflects on Auction Dynamics
Lanning, who attended the auction, acknowledged that Manchester had strongly desired to sign Mooney. "But we got some good players and filled some gaps," she said, after the team secured quick Maitlan Brown for £40,000 ($A75,000). Every side in the tournament features at least one Australian player, with three teams boasting a triple-powered contingent.
Defending champions Northern Superchargers, rebranded as the Sunrisers at Headingley, have Annabel Sutherland, Phoebe Litchfield, and Jonassen as six-figure signings. The auction for the men's Hundred is scheduled to follow on Thursday in London, continuing the momentum of this landmark event.
Australian Players in the Women's Hundred
- Birmingham Phoenix: Ellyse Perry (£100,000), Alana King* (£37,500), Lucy Hamilton (£35,000)
- London Spirit: Grace Harris (£70,000)
- Manchester Super Giants: Meg Lanning (£95,000), Maitlan Brown* (£40,000)
- MI London: Nicola Carey* (£95,000)
- Southern Brave: Sophie Molineux* (£47,500)
- Sunrisers Leeds: Annabel Sutherland (£130,000), Phoebe Litchfield (£120,000), Jess Jonassen* (£110,000)
- Trent Rockets: Beth Mooney* (£210,000), Ash Gardner (£100,000), Kim Garth (£42,000)
- Welsh Fire: Georgia Wareham (£100,000), Georgia Voll (£80,000), Heather Graham* (£27,500)
* denotes players bought in the auction. This distribution underscores the significant Australian presence and the financial rewards reshaping women's cricket globally.
