Harry Brook signs nearly £500k deal as Hundred salaries skyrocket under new ownership

Harry Brook is set to earn close to £500,000 for playing in The Hundred next year, as the tournament’s new investors rush to secure their direct signings and retention ahead of the auctions scheduled for March.

Brook, currently on England’s mid-Ashes break following their eight-wicket defeat to Australia at the Gabba, has captained the Northern Superchargers for the past two seasons. He has now agreed to stay with the franchise, rebranded as Sunrisers Leeds, on a deal worth around £470,000, potentially making him the highest-paid player in the competition.

Brook is serving a two-year IPL ban after withdrawing from a contract with Delhi Capitals. Last year, upon being named England’s white-ball captain, he said that overseas franchise cricket would take a back seat. However, fresh investment in The Hundred ensures he still receives a significant payday in addition to his England central contract.

The eight Hundred teams were centrally operated for the tournament’s first five seasons. But control has now shifted to host counties and private investors, who will run the sides as joint ventures. The Sunrisers are the only exception, having bought Yorkshire’s full 51% stake earlier this year.

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The competition’s recruitment model has also changed from a draft to an auction system. Under the new rules, teams may pre-sign only four players, with restrictions to maintain competitive balance, at least one must be a retention from last season, no more than two can be overseas players, and no more than two can hold recent England central contracts.

The retention window opened on November 27, with teams quickly moving to lock in their preferred players. The ECB has laid out fixed salary-cap deductions based on the number of pre-signings, while allowing teams flexibility in how they distribute their remaining budget.

Brook’s massive new contract highlights how salaries in The Hundred have surged. The highest men’s salary band has risen from £125,000 in 2024 to £200,000 in 2025, while the women’s maximum has increased from £50,000 to £65,000.

Phil Salt is also poised for a substantial earnings boost, with Welsh Fire securing him for a deal worth around £450,000, beating interest from London Spirit and Manchester Super Giants. Salt, born in North Wales, had long been a target for the franchise.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Sunrisers Leeds have also signed Brydon Carse and Mitchell Marsh, and may add another overseas fast bowler before the auction. They will be coached by Daniel Vettori, following Andrew Flintoff’s departure after receiving a low contract offer from the new owners.

Welsh Fire are leveraging their connection with Washington Freedom, co-owned by Sanjay Govil. They are eyeing Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra in addition to Salt. Mike Hussey will continue as head coach, joined by Michael Klinger as general manager and women’s coach.

Manchester Super Giants are expected to retain Jos Buttler, Noor Ahmad, and Heinrich Klaasen, with Tom Moody overseeing cricket operations globally and Justin Langer lined up to replace Simon Katich as head coach. Trent Rockets have targeted Joe Root and Ben Duckett, while Birmingham Phoenix aim to sign Rehan Ahmed and Donovan Ferreira, and extend Jacob Bethell’s tenure under new coach Shane Bond.

MI London plan to retain Sam Curran, Will Jacks, and Rashid Khan, and may add either Nicholas Pooran or Trent Boult. London Spirit have secured Liam Livingstone and Jamie Overton, are targeting Adam Zampa, and have appointed Dinesh Karthik as batting coach and mentor.

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Jofra Archer is understood to have accepted a lucrative new deal with Southern Brave, now owned by the GMR Group. They are also lining up Jamie Smith, Marcus Stoinis, and Tristan Stubbs, with Hemang Badani expected to take over as head coach.

In the women’s competition, Marizanne Kapp is likely to join London Spirit after five seasons with Oval Invincibles, while Meg Lanning is set to sign with Manchester Super Giants, who have appointed Matthew Mott as their new head coach. Lauren Bell has signed a high-value renewal with Southern Brave, while Freya Kemp is set for a six-figure move to Welsh Fire. Defending champions Sunrisers Leeds are expected to retain Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland.

Both men’s and women’s teams must finalise retention by January 16, ahead of the inaugural auctions in March. The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16, placed between England’s home series against India (five T20Is, three ODIs) and Pakistan (three Tests).