HUNDRED STARS MUST COUGH UP FOR COUNTIES

PLAYERS chosen to feature in the Hundred competition next year will have to compensate their clubs with 12.5 per cent of their wages. Under the terms of the new county partnership agreement — to run concurrently with a £1.1billion TV deal between 2020 and 2024 — those heading into the draft in the top bracket of £125,000 will give up £15,625 and those in the lowest (£30,000) £3,750. The ECB, who last week revealed the playing conditions for the 100-ball-a-side competition to be contested over 35 days, will confirm full details of the CPA in the near future. Compensating counties for the loss of their A-list cricketers at a time when domestic 50-over cricket is scheduled is partly a trade-off for other benefits demanded by the players’ union.