LONDON: New Zealand`s Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney of Australia topped the bidding in the inaugural auction for English cricket`s women`s Hundred on Wednesday, each securing deals worth 210,000 ($282,000).

All-rounder Dani Gibson went for 190,000 to Sunrisers Leeds to become the highest-paid Englishwoman while South Africa all-rounder Nadine de Klerk, who starred at the recent 50-over World Cup, went to London Spirit for 170,000.

Former New Zealand captain Devine will play for the Welsh Fire while Trent Rockets won the race to sign star batter and wicketkeeper Mooney, 32.The Hundred has changed the way teams pick players this year. In the first auction of its kind in a major British sport, held in London, spending on women players skyrocketed.

Last year`s cap, under a draft system, was 65,000.

Stakes in the eight citybased franchises which all have men`s and women`s teams were sold last year to private investors, raising huge sums for cricket in England and Wales.

Four of the franchises Manchester Super Giants, Sunrisers Leeds, MI London and Southern Brave are at least partowned by companies that control Indian Premier League teams.-AFP