Daryl Mitchell, Chief Executive of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) for England and Wales, has sharply criticized the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for what he calls a “lack of communication” regarding new salary structures in The Hundred for 2025.
On December 12, the ECB confirmed salary increases for next year’s edition. While top-tier men’s players will see their pay rise by £75,000—representing a 60% jump from 2024—the majority of other men’s contracts are set for far smaller increments, with some lower bands receiving less than a 4% increase. For example, a band-seven men’s player will earn just £1,000 more than last year, moving from £30,000 to £31,000.
Mitchell stated that the PCA and current players are “extremely concerned” about these disparities, noting that the “lack of respect” shown toward most players stands in stark contrast to the competition’s growth goals. He highlighted how a larger overall salary pool could have been a success story if managed more transparently and equitably.
The lack of financial suitability may force the players to look for franchise cricket like the Pakistan Super League, defying their own cricketing board.
Top players are already voicing their frustration. England fast bowler Tymal Mills said lower-ranked men’s players, who have “carried” The Hundred’s development, are barely seeing any salary improvement. Oval Invincibles captain Sam Billings similarly criticized the pay gap, calling it “remarkable” that top men’s players receive such a large boost while most others see minimal gains.
The salary changes have also drawn attention to the gender pay gap. While the top women’s bracket will rise from £50,000 to £65,000 (a 30% increase), it still lags far behind the men’s top band, which now stands at £200,000. Lower women’s bands do see slightly larger relative increases than the men’s equivalents, but overall pay remains less than half that of the men’s competition. This goes against the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket’s (ICEC) 2023 recommendation to equalize pay by 2025.
These developments come on the heels of PCA concerns over the ECB’s recently introduced No Objection Certificate (NOC)policy for domestic players, which was also implemented without sufficient consultation, according to Mitchell. Combined, the two issues have heightened player unrest and spotlighted the ECB’s approach to communication and player relations in the evolving landscape of English cricket.
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