Hundred Draft System Overhaul Proposed to Attract Top Players

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering a major overhaul of the Hundred tournament's draft system and player compensation structure. The proposed changes aim to attract top international players and boost the league's competitiveness.

Under the new plans, franchises could make direct offers of multi-year contracts worth up to £300,000 per season to players. This would represent a significant increase from the current salary cap of £125,000 for men and £50,000 for women.

The ECB is also considering lobbying the UK's Home Office to allow each team to field a fourth overseas player in the XI, up from the current limit of three. This move would bring the Hundred in line with other major T20 leagues worldwide.

The proposed changes are part of a broader effort to increase the Hundred's appeal to top players and fans. The ECB has fallen behind other short-form leagues in attracting men's stars, and the new salary structure aims to address this issue.

The plans would also see each team able to sign one designated 'England star' on a multi-year deal, worth around £100,000 in the women's competition and £250,000 in the men's.

The ECB is confident that the proposed changes will make the Hundred more competitive and attractive to players and fans alike. The league's 2025 season will start in early August, immediately after England's men complete a Test series against India.

Tags: #Hundred, #ECB, #PlayerContracts, #OverseasPlayers, #T20Cricket