The Hundred has been one of the biggest white-ball leagues in English domestic cricket for a couple of years. Ever since its inception, many have opined that it could even go on to rival the likes of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). However, the same has not been the case.
It could be due to the fact that the pay gap between the players competing at the Hundred and the players competing at the IPL is simply too high. £125,000 is the top men’s salary at The Hundred, with £31,250 being the top salary for the women’s division.
Talking about the same, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, Rob Key, opined that the tournament should make sure that they are paying the players enough. He even reflected on the fact that The Hundred could go on to become bigger than the IPL, considering that they have strength in depth in white-ball cricket.
“We have to concentrate on ourselves, we need to make sure that our competition is good enough and pays enough. I don’t see why our competition can’t be second-best to the IPL. It can also be a better standard than the IPL because we’ve got more strength in depth in white-ball cricket than any other country,” Key told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Money and central contracts will put English cricket in a great place: Key
Continuing upon the same, Key was hopeful about the money situation in the tournament. Opining that the ECB is in the process of building something for the years to come, he said that once the plan is in full motion, English cricket would be in a great spot.
“That money might not be there at the moment. The top salary in The Hundred is £125,000 but you don’t mind that at the moment because we are building towards something in the years to come, and the money will go up. That’s how we will get the money, and that, along with the central contracts, will put English cricket in a great place,” Key said.