Sophie Ecclestone was one of four England internationals signed at the 2026 Women’s Premier League auction on Thursday.
Left-arm spinner Ecclestone, the No 1-ranked ODI bowler in the world, rejoins UP Warriorz, who she has played for since the inaugural 2023 season, for approximately £72,000.
The highest price for an England player went to pace bowler Lauren Bell, who signed with Royal Challengers Bengaluru for £76,000. Joining Bell at RCB is WPL debutant left-arm spinner Linsey Smith, bought for £25,000. Batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who moved from Warriorz to RCB in 2025, will now turn out for Gujarat Giants after being sold for £42,000.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will also take part in the 2026 WPL, having been retained by defending champions Mumbai Indians after the 2025 season.
Alice Capsey and Kate Cross, who featured in the 2025 tournament but were released by Delhi Capitals and RCB respectively, were among 18 England players unsold at auction. Others to miss out included former captain Heather Knight, Amy Jones, Sophia Dunkley and Charlie Dean, along with uncapped 19-year-old Davina Perrin, who hit the fastest-ever century in The Hundred last year (42 balls) for Northern Superchargers.
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma was the top seller at the auction, rejoining UP Warriorz for approximately £270,500, while New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr claimed the biggest cheque among overseas players at £253,500 when signing back with Mumbai. Veteran Kiwi batter Sophie Devine was bought by Gujarat for £170,000. Former Australia captain Meg Lanning (£161,000) and Phoebe Litchfield (£101,500) were among the bigger signings for UP Warriorz.
Several star players had already been retained and were not part of the auction, including India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians), Smriti Mandhana (RCB), Ellyse Perry (RCB), Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants), Deandra Dottin (UP Warriorz) and Marizanne Kapp (Delhi Capitals).
The dates for the 2026 WPL have not yet been announced, but the tournament is likely to run from January through February.