Four England internationals were among the signings at the 2026 Women’s Premier League auction on Thursday. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone — the world No.1 ODI bowler — returned to UP Warriorz, a side she has represented since the inaugural 2023 season, in a deal worth about £72,000.
Pace bowler Lauren Bell fetched the highest fee among England players after Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought her for approximately £76,000. RCB also added WPL debutant left-arm spinner Linsey Smith for around £25,000. Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who had moved from UP Warriorz to RCB in 2025, was sold to Gujarat Giants for roughly £42,000.
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt will also play in the 2026 tournament after being retained by defending champions Mumbai Indians following the 2025 season.
Not every England player found a new contract: Alice Capsey and Kate Cross were among 18 England entrants who went unsold. Other notable names who missed out included former captain Heather Knight, wicketkeeper-batter Amy Jones, Sophia Dunkley, Charlie Dean and uncapped 19-year-old Davina Perrin — who last year recorded the fastest century in The Hundred (42 balls) for Northern Superchargers.
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma topped the auction overall, re-signing for UP Warriorz for about £270,500. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr earned the largest overseas fee, returning to Mumbai for around £253,500, while veteran Sophie Devine was bought by Gujarat for £170,000. UP Warriorz also made big signings with former Australia captain Meg Lanning (circa £161,000) and Phoebe Litchfield (about £101,500).
Several marquee players had already been retained and were not available at the auction, including India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (Mumbai Indians), Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry (both RCB), Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants), Deandra Dottin (UP Warriorz) and Marizanne Kapp (Delhi Capitals).
Organisers have not yet announced exact dates for the 2026 WPL, but the tournament is expected to take place between January and February.