The Hundred’s landmark player auction is set to be an "historic moment for UK sport", according to auctioneer Richard Madley.
This pioneering event marks the first time a professional sport in Britain has adopted such a system.
Madley, known from Bargain Hunt, presided over the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in 2008, where MS Dhoni commanded an unprecedented 1.5 million US dollars.
"I said that was the day that cricket changed forever Eand I stick by it. When I brought the hammer down on Dhoni, things were never the same again," Madley told the Press Association.
He anticipates a similar transformative effect for the UK, stating: "I’ve got a feeling about this one too. It’s an historic moment for sport in the UK.
“Once people realise what is happening, that we are selling athletes on the open market, it could be a day that is remembered as setting a blueprint for the future."
He added: "It could become a feature on the sporting calendar here. I have been approached to work in golf, in rugby and heaven forbid if football caught on to it."
The women’s auction is Wednesday, men’s Thursday, both at Piccadilly Lights in central London. 425 names are in contention.
While not IPL levels, new private investment boosted funds: women’s squads have £880,000, men’s £2.05 million.
Major names secured direct deals: Harry Brook (£465,000, Sunrisers Leeds), Nat Sciver-Brunt and Lauren Bell (£140,000 each, Trent Rockets/Southern Brave).
Intrigue remains for overseas stars and English players including Joe Root, Adil Rashid, Tammy Beaumont and Davina Perrin.
Madley, drawing on international experience, noted: "I’ve seen some of these guys are the bidding tables in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Cape Town and the UAE. There’s a lot of noise in the run-up, I hear the whispers, but I think you can read the room and anticipate who’s up for it."
On high bids, he cautioned: "Could we see a player earning £350,000? Indeed. But it’s a high-risk strategy and you end up with egg on your face if you get to the end and you’ve run out of cash or you can’t find £50,000 for a player."
His objective: "I’ve got a job to do and it’s not about generating the highest prices, it’s making sure the teams leave with a complete squad."
Madley fondly recalled Andrew Flintoff buying him a beer after a 2009 CSK deal, content with his role at cricket’s free market frontier.
"The antiques market is on the wane and cricket is still on the way up, so I prefer selling cricketers," he quipped.
He highlighted transparency: "We’ve also introduced total transparency. We disclose the base prices, who is bidding, how much much for and who against. That never happened when I sold impressionist art at Christie’s."
King tells cricket legend that playing the sport in the Caribbean ‘nearly killed’ him
Pietersen says tension remains with Swann despite making up with England teammates
Tonda Eckert wants Southampton players to ‘stay on the gas’ after FA Cup upset
T20 World Cup win fitting redemption for India’s struggling hero
Indians pour into streets to celebrate historic T20 cricket World Cup win
India make history with dominant T20 World Cup final win over sorry New Zealand
