The Hundred: Top women's wage increases to £50,000 as part of £800,000 new investment

Highlights: Southern Brave beat Northern Superchargers to win women's Hundred

The top women's players will now earn £50,000 in The Hundred after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) committed an extra £100,000 to each of the eight teams.

The top salary last year was £31,250 and started at £15,000 in the tournament's first year in 2021.

All of the salaries have seen an increase with the lowest earners seeing a £500 increase to £8,000.

The men's wages are unchanged, with the top at £125,000 and lowest £30,000.

The Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report recommended parity in the competitions by 2025, but the ECB did not commit to that.

The £50,000 is still much less than some of the contracts paid in the Women's Premier League in India, with highest-earner Smriti Mandhana commanding roughly £320,000 at the inaugural auction in 2023.

The top fee paid in the Women's Big Bash in Australia is unknown, but average retainer, as of last April, is $54,200 (£28,000).

Southern Brave are the current holders of the women's Hundred after beating Northern Superchargers in last year's final at Lord's, while Oval Invincibles hold the men's title after victory over Manchester Originals.

The dates for the 2024 tournament are yet to be confirmed but it is expected to take place from late July to late August. Fixtures will be unveiled on 23 January.

It is expected to clash with England men's Test side facing West Indies and the final week of the Major Cricket League in United States.

Highlights: Oval Invincibles beat Manchester Originals to win men's Hundred

Retention window opens

The retention window has now opened with women's teams able to retain up to eight players and men's teams up to 10 players.

The open market process, which saw women's teams add seven players to their squad, will no longer happen, with squads being assembled via retentions, the draft - the date of which is yet to be confirmed - and wildcard picks.

In the women's competitions, each team will nominate one player as a 'designated marquee player' who can be replaced by a fourth overseas or a domestic player.

In the men's competition, if the sides' England central contract player is unavailable - which will happen at times due to the overlapping schedule - they can be replaced by either a fourth overseas player or a domestic player.

Three overseas players is still the maximum each team can field in a game.

In both competitions each team will add two wildcard picks.

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