Players in The Hundred Women's Competition will get the chance to roll-over their contracts into 2021. Every player offered a 2020 contract can renew their deal on the same terms for next year - same team, same pay.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made this decision to offer maximum security to the players who were denied the opportunity to play in The Hundred this year, after the competition was postponed due to COVID-19. The money available to pay women's players remains the same for 2021.
Player selection for next year will be split into three stages:
Anya Shrubsole who has re-signed for Southern Brave said "It’s good for all women’s players to have the security of rolling over their 2020 contract offers, should they want to do so. The summer we’ve had has obviously thrown up a bit of uncertainty and this helps confirm that everyone expecting to play in The Hundred will still get that opportunity.
"I’m excited about the summer of 2021 for women’s domestic cricket. When you combine the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and The Hundred you’ve got two excellent competitions, one that prioritises performance and a year-round focus on skills, and one that’s all about putting the women’s game on the big stage and attracting new fans.
"Together they also mean more women’s domestic players than ever before being paid to play the game and that’s hugely important for women’s cricket – for both the individuals involved and for the quality of our game in England and Wales."
Beth Barrett-Wild, head of The Hundred Women’s competition, added, "A few options were considered around the re-selection process, and after much consultation, including talking to the PCA and the players themselves, it was unanimously decided that the strongest approach was to implement a roll-over mechanism for players who were selected in 2020 to 2021.
"COVID-19 has caused some uncertainty for athletes, especially female athletes, so being able to provide immediate clarity and assurance to the women’s players that they will get the chance to re-sign for the same team and for the same fee in 2021 is very important, and demonstrates The Hundred’s ongoing commitment to the women’s game."
John Stephenson
john@cricketinvestor.co.uk
#Cricketnews #TheHundred #ECB
