Teenage Wednesfield cricket star makes more history in The Hundred auction

The 19-year-old was signed by her former team Birmingham Phoenix for £50,000 after being the first player randomly drawn for bidding in the first professional sporting auction ever held in the UK.

Phoenix bosses outbid Leeds Sunrisers to land Perrin, who previously made history for them as the youngest player to ever appear in The Hundred when aged just 15.

Perrin last year outlined her huge potential by hitting the fastest ever century by an Englishwoman, from just 42 balls, while playing for Northern Superchargers.

The former Fordhouses Cricket Club ace, currently in South Africa on an England training camp, revealed how she watched the auction live on television with her team-mates.

“We weren’t quite sure when it was going to start,” Perrin told Sky Sports. “I was sat there with a milkshake and it was rubbish, so I needed something to boost my mood!

“I would love to say I was anxious. But more than anything it is an exciting time, an exciting moment for the game.

“My heart was beating but more from excitement. I think I played it cool to the rest of the girls!”

Australia wicketkeeper Beth Mooney and New Zealand captain Sophie Devine commanded the biggest bids of the auction, which has replaced the tournament’s draft.

Perrin’s Warwickshire team-mate Issy Wong, meanwhile, was among the most expensive domestic players, after being bought by Southern Brave for £130,000.

The auction created some of the most highest paid sportswomen in the UK and while The Hundred has received criticism from traditional cricket fans, Perrin believes its impact on the women’s game has been positive.

“It has been so important,” she said. “It gives us domestic players another platform, another opportunity to show our skills on a bigger stage.

“The gap between our Blast games, where if it is on at the middle of the day we are not getting too many bums on seats, to The Hundred games where people know your names and there are cameras.

“I feel it has helped bridge a gap. It is quite a big step, going from domestic cricket to playing for England.

“For a lot of people it probably helps settle the nerves. For myself, it is great we gave two short format comps because there is probably where my strength lies.”