The inaugural player auction for the women’s edition of The Hundred delivered a boost for Caribbean cricket on Wednesday, with West Indies all-rounders Chinelle Henry and Deandra Dottin both securing contracts ahead of the upcoming season.
Henry emerged as one of the notable winners from the opening round of bidding, earning a lucrative deal with MI London, while the experienced Dottin was snapped up by London Spirit.
Henry’s value soars in opening round
The 30-year-old Henry saw her market value surge dramatically during the first round of bidding.
Entering the auction with a base price of £27,500, the West Indies all-rounder attracted strong interest before eventually being secured by MI London for £70,000, more than doubling her initial valuation.
The move will reunite Henry with her national captain Hayley Matthews, who had already been retained by the franchise for the top contract tier of £120,000.
The pairing ensures MI London will feature a strong Caribbean presence as the team prepares for the new season of the innovative 100-ball competition.
Dottin finds new home with Spirit
Meanwhile, veteran power-hitter Deandra Dottin will represent London Spirit after being signed for £37,500.
Dottin arrives at the franchise following a stint with the Manchester Originals last season, bringing with her a reputation as one of the most explosive all-rounders in the women’s game.
Her signing adds further international experience to the Spirit lineup as teams continue assembling their squads through the newly introduced auction system.
Global stars spark auction drama
While the West Indies duo secured valuable deals, the biggest paydays of the opening day belonged to two global superstars.
Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney topped the bidding charts, each landing contracts worth £210,000.
Devine, the New Zealand all-rounder who captained her country to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in 2024 before stepping down from the role and retiring from One-Day Internationals last year, will suit up for Welsh Fire as she enters the later phase of a distinguished international career at age 36.
Mooney, one of Australia’s most consistent and destructive batters, was at the center of a spirited bidding contest between Trent Rockets and Manchester Super Giants. The Rockets ultimately prevailed, securing the services of the prolific wicketkeeper-batter.
Surprise bid raises eyebrows
Among the day’s unexpected twists was a massive contract for England all-rounder Dani Gibson, who secured a remarkable £190,000 move to Sunrisers Leeds.
The deal ranked among the most eye-catching moments of the opening session, underscoring the aggressive bidding strategies employed by franchises eager to secure key talent.
For West Indies cricket, the contracts for Henry and Dottin highlight the continued demand for Caribbean power and versatility in global franchise competitions.
With the tournament drawing some of the sport’s biggest international stars, both players now have the opportunity to showcase their talents on one of the most prominent stages in the women’s franchise game.
