Author: Priya Menon

Amid the high-profile setting of the inaugural Women’s Hundred auction held on March 11, 2026, at London’s Piccadilly, MI London head coach Lisa Keightley expressed satisfaction with her squad composition while drawing attention to the lack of female representation in leadership roles. Her team features prominent names such as Hayley Matthews, Amelia Kerr and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, yet Keightley was struck by the broader gender imbalance at the event. She stood as the only female head coach among the eight participating franchises, a group that includes teams reshaped by IPL franchise investments, including Sunrisers Leeds, defending champions Manchester Super Giants, and…

The Women’s Hundred Auction held on March 11, 2026, has reshaped MI London — previously known as the title-winning Oval Invincibles — into a strong contender for the sixth edition of The Hundred, scheduled from July 21 to August 16, 2026. After finishing sixth last season with eight points from eight matches, registering two wins and six defeats under captain Lauren Winfield-Hill, the franchise adopted a renewed strategy at the inaugural auction. By combining retained pre-auction stars such as Amelia Kerr, Hayley Matthews and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge with impactful new signings, MI London have assembled a balanced and competitive squad. The…

The auction of the 2026 edition of The Hundred showed the growing commercial value of Women’s cricket. Many world-class players from around the globe attracted interest, which led to intense bidding battles between the teams. The most expensive player in the auction was Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney, who were signed by the Welsh Fire and the Trent Rockets for £210,000, while Dani Gibson got a close second as she was signed by the Sunrisers Leeds for a £190,000 deal. All these signings highlight the significance of all-around abilities and experience in players who can deliver consistently in the tournament,…

London Spirit Women’s assistant coach Malolan Rangarajan believes a successful Women’s T20 World Cup campaign for England could significantly boost interest in the women’s Hundred competition. Having previously experienced the surge in attention around franchise cricket during his tenure as head coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rangarajan witnessed the enthusiasm surrounding the Women’s Premier League that followed India’s triumph at the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. Now working with London Spirit Women, he was involved as a strategist during the inaugural Hundred Auction held in London on Wednesday. Reflecting on the potential impact of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup…

The journey to the CSA Women’s Pro20 2026 final has been marked by consistent performances from both finalists. The Lions secured the top spot on the table after registering eight wins from nine matches, maintaining strong momentum throughout the campaign after opening with a victory over the Dolphins and suffering just one defeat. Western Province also recorded eight victories but finished slightly behind due to an additional loss. Their batting line-up has been particularly dominant, highlighted by imposing totals such as 192 against North West. With each side claiming a win apiece during the season — Western Province prevailing in…

New Zealand all-rounder Brooke Halliday reached a significant career milestone at University Oval in Dunedin, making her 100th international appearance during the third ODI against Zimbabwe on 11 March 2026. Batting at number five in the first innings, the 30-year-old contributed a steady 40 off 40 deliveries, striking three boundaries and a six, as the White Ferns posted 303/6 in their allotted 50 overs. The hosts then bowled out Zimbabwe for 103 in the 28th over of the chase, sealing a comprehensive 200-run win and completing a dominant 3-0 sweep in the ODI series under captain Amelia Kerr against Nomvelo…

Manchester Super Giants have confirmed the appointment of Meg Lanning as their captain for The Hundred 2026, signalling a leadership shift built around experience, achievement, and ambition. The Australian great takes charge as the franchise prepares for a new phase in the competition. Lanning is widely considered among the most accomplished captains in women’s cricket. During her tenure with the Australia women’s national team, she was part of a period of remarkable success that included two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup triumphs and five ICC Women’s T20 World Cup titles. Australia also secured a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth…

Surrey have named Kira Chathli as their captain for the 50-over format ahead of the 2026 One Day Cup campaign. The move marks a new leadership phase for the side, while Bryony Smith will continue to lead the team in T20 cricket as they aim to defend their Blast title. The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Southwark has been part of the county setup since making her debut in 2013. Over the years, Chathli has established herself as an important member of the squad, notably playing a decisive role in Surrey’s London Cup triumph over Middlesex in 2020 with an unbeaten 28…

New Zealand’s commanding white-ball performances against Zimbabwe between February 25 and March 11, 2026, have resulted in significant gains for several White Ferns players in the latest ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings. The hosts completed a 3-0 sweep in both the T20I and ODI series, with their consistent displays reflected in the updated rankings across multiple categories. Skipper Amelia Kerr spearheaded the rise with a standout all-round showing during the ODI leg of the tour. Her performances were highlighted by a seven-wicket spell in Dunedin, making her only the seventh woman — and the first New Zealand player — to…

Ellyse Perry will continue to lead Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred 2026, extending her association with the franchise as captain in the women’s competition. The experienced Australian all-rounder has played a significant role in the team’s journey over recent seasons and remains a central figure in their plans for the upcoming campaign. At 35, Perry is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and respected all-rounders in world cricket. Known for her calm leadership and ability to contribute in all facets of the game, she brings balance to the Phoenix line-up with both bat and ball. Perry, a right-handed…