The Hundred set to permit fifth overseas squad member to cover for absences

Injuries and international call-ups had an impact on squads in 2026, with several short-term signings Teams in the Hundred will be allowed to carry a fifth overseas player in their squads next season to provide cover in the event of injuries, international call-ups or loss of form. Franchises were permitted four overseas players in both their squad and their playing XI in 2026, an increase from three in previous seasons, a move which the ECB believe raised the quality of cricket significantly, particularly in the men's Hundred. But several sides went into matches with only three overseas players due to availability issues or poor performance, and Cricinfo has learned that the ECB will alter regulations for 2027 to allow each team to pick a fifth overseas player in their squad. The move should help to reduce the number of short-term replacement signings made in the Hundred, such as Josh Philippe's one-match deal at MI London while Sherfane Rutherford was on international duty at the start of the 2026 season. Squads were overhauled ahead of the 2026 season to coincide with the Hundred's move to a private investment model. Men's and women's teams were only allowed a maximum of four pre-signings before a 'mega-auction' in the spring, but squads will be much more consistent for the next two seasons. Players were signed on a '1+1+1' contract model - like the one used in the IPL - which means teams will have the option to retain a maximum of 16 players from their 2026 squads for the next two seasons on the same salary. Any player who was signed at the auction will be eligible for retention, as will any replacement player who played two or more matches. Vikram Banerjee, the Hundred's managing director, told the Business of Sport podcast that he believed the quality of cricket "went up a massive level" in 2026 after new investment. "In my humble opinion, I think we have now set ourselves apart from the chasing pack, with the IPL being out there [in front] and the WPL on the women's side," Banerjee said. Squad salary caps of £2.05 million (men's) and £880,000 (women's) are expected to remain at a similar level for 2027, though could increase slightly. The 2027 edition of the Hundred is due to run from August 3-29, immediately after the end of the fifth men's Ashes Test at The Oval. The ECB are hopeful that ticket sales will benefit from the proximity to that series, which is scheduled to finish on August 2. The availability of overseas players will not become fully clear until the next Future Tours Programme is finalised later this year, though Code Sports has reported that the final week of the tournament is likely to clash with an ODI series between Australia and New Zealand in the Northern Territory. Richard Thompson, the ECB's chair, told Sky Sports last week that new owners were "very happy" with the Hundred's 2026 season and suggested that its impact on the English schedule was "a price worth paying" given the financial windfall it has provided to counties, enabling many clubs to wipe out or significantly reduce their debts.