Hundred to drop draft in favour of IPL-style auction as new owners’ influence grows
The Hundred will adopt a new system of player recruitment next season, with the draft to be dropped in favour of an IPL-style open auction that gives franchises the chance to make direct signings on multiyear deals.The Guardian has learned that after discussions between the new ownership groups, the new investors have agreed to adopt a hybrid model similar to that used in the Indian Premier League, where franchises are permitted to offer contracts of up to three years that are negotiated directly with the incoming player.The recruitment system will be one of the main items on the agenda when the new Hundred board meets for the first time on Monday, with formal signoff of the updated regulations expected in October and the first auction planned for next February.The England and Wales Cricket Board introduced the draft before the Hundred’s planned launch in 2020, which was delayed by 12 months because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with each franchise permitted to sign two players each from seven fixed salary bands, ranging from £30,000 to £125,000 for the men’s competition.While the top men’s salary has increased to £200,000 and other minor changes have been made, – such as introducing 10 retained player slots and allowing each franchise to make one direct overseas signing for the first time this summer – the draft has remained largely unchanged.
A source involved in the discussions said the new investors, who have paid a total of £520m for stakes of between 49% and 100% in the eight franchises, want a major shakeup of recruitment with the emphasis on greater player movement, bigger budgets and more big‑name overseas signings.As a result, the squad salary pot for 15 players of £1.2m in the men’s competition and £429,000 in the women’s tournament will increase next year.Franchises will not be obliged to spend up to the cap, but a so‑called salary collar will be introduced to guarantee a minimum level of investment in the hope of ensuring the Hundred remains competitive.It is understood that about 12 players in each squad will be allocated via an open auction with franchises able to bid as much as they want, as long as they stay within the overall cap.
Beyond that franchises will have the flexibility to negotiate directly with up to three players and offer them longer-term contracts for the first time.While not a completely free market, it is anticipated that the new model will lead to the biggest amount of movement between franchises since the start of the Hundred, as well as giving the players more freedom.Increasing the salary cap should help firmly establish the Hundred as the second-biggest short-form competition in the world after the IPL.and attract some of the overseas players who have previously preferred to spend the summer playing in Major League Cricket in the United States, such as Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Quinton de Kock.Sign up to The SpinSubscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week’s actionafter newsletter promotionThe 30% salary increases this year brought wage levels on par with those on offer in Australia’s Big Bash Leagues.
The top men’s salary of £200,000 falls into the AUS$360,000-$420,000 range for platinum BBL picks, while the top women’s salary of £65,000 is slightly more than the AUS$110,000 on offer in the WBBL.As previously reported, a change of playing conditions to a Twenty20 competition is on the cards, and will be discussed at next week’s board meeting.The Hundred board is comprised of four representatives from the ECB and one each from the eight host venues and new investors, giving the franchises the balance of power.In a potentially intriguing development, Ravichandran Ashwin’s announcement that he is retiring from the IPL on Wednesday has raised the prospect of the first Indian player being recruited by a Hundred franchise next year.The Board of Control for Cricket in India bars current Indian players from appearing in foreign franchise leagues, but this restriction no longer affects Ashwin, who the Daily Telegraph reports is eager to explore playing in the Hundred and other global competitions.
Dinesh Karthik became the first Indian player to feature in the South African SA20 competition this year, so there is a precedent for Ashwin to follow after his domestic retirement.
Confidence drops across UK services in face of higher costs and weak demand
Business confidence plunged this month across the UK’s services sector as mounting cost pressures and weak demand hit profits and undermined the outlook for the rest of the year.The CBI’s latest service sector poll found that a majority of companies were gloomy about their prospects and discounted the acceleration in activity that usually follows the return to work after the summer break.Falling sales and rising costs meant most firms were suffering a profit squeeze, the CBI said, leading to lower hiring and cuts to investment.Consumer services firms reported a negative outlook for the eighth consecutive month while services companies that sell to other businesses reported a decline in activity for the fourth consecutive month.Optimism about the general business situation deteriorated, though the panic induced in the previous quarter by Donald Trump’s initial tariffs was much reduced
Ryanair to raise bonus to €2.50 for staff who spot oversized cabin bags
Ryanair will pay airport staff increased and unlimited bonuses of €2.50 for every non-compliant carry-on bag they take from passengers, the airline’s boss has announced.Passengers whose cabin cases exceed the maximum dimensions for a small suitcase are charged fees of up to £75 and their luggage is taken into the hold.The fines have outraged some travellers, especially when it emerged that staff at the boarding gate have been incentivised to spot oversized bags.However, an unrepentant Michael O’Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, said the airline would be upping the bonuses to keep baggage to the correct size
US parents and teachers: share your experiences of AI in schools
Students in grades K-12 have been invited by Melania Trump to take part in a nationwide contest designed to encourage the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to help solve community issues. The first lady wants students to “unleash their imagination and showcase the spirit of American innovation” by participating in the government-sponsored contest.We want to hear from parents and teachers on their experiences of AI in schools. How do you feel about it being used in education? Do you support it or are you against it?You can tell us what you think of the use of AI in schools by filling in the form below.Please include as much detail as possible
Half of UK adults worry that AI will take or alter their job, poll finds
Half of adults in the UK are concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence on their job, according to a poll, as union leaders call for a “step change” in the country’s approach to new technologies.Job losses or changes to terms and conditions were the biggest worries for the 51% of 2,600 adults surveyed for the Trades Union Congress who said they were concerned about the technology.AI is a particular concern for workers aged between 25 and 34, with nearly two-thirds (62%) of those surveyed reporting such worries.The TUC poll was released as a string of large employers – including BT, Amazon , and Microsoft – have said in recent months that advances in AI could lead them to cut jobs.Britain’s job market is slowing amid a cooling economy, with the UK’s official jobless rate at a four-year high of 4
US Open tennis 2025: injured Draper withdraws, Raducanu on day four – live
Righto, that’s us done for today. Join me again tomorrow at 4.30pm BST, for more ridiculous behaviour, but until then, peace out.Another nails serve and Norrie seals the win, at the end of a pulsating, wild and banging match. Next for him: Djokovic
Fritz, Pegula and Navarro lead American charge into US Open third round
Taylor Fritz overcame a jittery start, Jessica Pegula extended her run of consistency and Emma Navarro continued to build on last year’s breakout season as all three Americans advanced to the third round of the US Open with convincing victories on Wednesday.On a breezy afternoon at Flushing Meadows, Fritz recovered from a sluggish opening set to defeat South Africa’s Lloyd Harris 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-2, 6-4. The fourth seed, runner-up here last year, was forced to navigate a tricky test against the big-serving Harris, who has been rebuilding his career after injuries saw his ranking plummet outside the world’s top 300.Fritz dropped serve early and ceded the first set as Harris’s forehand found its range. But the American steadied behind his own delivery, pounding 17 aces in all, and dominated the second-set tiebreak to level the match
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