Jemimah Rodrigues: Hundred can thrive in WPL world - it's not about the money

The leading women's cricketers in the world still want to play in the Hundred, despite salaries paling in comparison to those on offer in the Women's Premier League (WPL) in India. That is the view of Jemimah Rodrigues, the Indian batter who will represent Northern Superchargers for a third consecutive season.

The first WPL auction, which took place ahead of the inaugural season in March, saw players signed on contracts worth up to INR 3.4 crore (£340,000) for four weeks' work - far outstripping the top salary of £31,250 available to players in the Women's Hundred.

A handful of players - Rodrigues included - are due to earn barely 10% of their WPL salary in the Hundred this year, but have signed up for the competition regardless. Among that category is Smriti Mandhana, the highest-paid player in the WPL, who was retained by Southern Brave and top-scored in the opening game on Tuesday.

Leading Australia players are conspicuous by their absence, with Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry withdrawing at short notice through injury and Tahlia McGrath and Ash Gardner among those who decided not to enter the draft in anticipation of a draining Ashes series immediately before the competition.

"For us as players, it's not about the money," Rodrigues told ESPNcricinfo. "All of us love playing in the Hundred. It's a different format, it's exciting, and the way the ECB organises it - getting the crowds and kids involved - is something different. We love coming to England for it.

"Each league has its own place… every country's league is different: the WPL, the Hundred, the WBBL. If the end goal is to improve women's cricket, then all three leagues are equally important - and so are all the other leagues in the world.

"It's very exciting that I'm getting the opportunity to experience them. Everyone has different cultures but it's cricket that unites us and gets us together. I'm lucky that I've got this experience at a pretty young age."

Rodrigues says that the crowds have been the best thing about the Hundred. "I was there for the first season, and I think it has come a long way. More than anything, I love seeing little children coming in those oversized jerseys - like they're floating in it - and asking for autographs.

"You speak to their parents and they're like, 'My daughter wants to play.' And it's not just girls - it's young guys getting inspired to play cricket through watching a women's game. That's the most exciting part for us, about playing in the Hundred."

Rodrigues was "a little bit disappointed" that she went unpicked in March's draft, having been released over the winter, but was approached with an opportunity to return to Superchargers while touring Bangladesh with India last month. She has replaced Heather Graham in their squad and arrived in Leeds on Saturday.

"It's good to be back, especially with a team I've spent a lot of time with," she says. "Whenever I come here, I feel like I've come back home. I have a lot of friends here; it's like family to me. I love being in Leeds and the thing I love about the Superchargers is they always have a good time; they like to have fun."

Before joining Superchargers two years ago, Rodrigues previously played for Yorkshire Diamonds in the Kia Super League. There, she learned about the trans-Pennine rivalry - and was therefore as baffled as anyone when Kate Cross, Manchester Originals' captain, was signed by Superchargers in the draft.

"She was the first one who reached out to me. She said, 'I can't wait to play with you,' and I was like, 'Same here.' And my next message was, 'Isn't it going to be weird for you to play against Manchester?!' We know the rivalry that Yorkshire and Lancashire have - but it's going to be fun for her."

Rodrigues arrives after a challenging tour for India in Bangladesh, one which culminated in a controversial tied ODI. After a quiet WPL, she found form in the ODI series in a new role at No. 5 - though is looking forward to playing in more batter-friendly conditions over the next four weeks than those encountered in Dhaka.

"I was so happy: the first ball I middled in the nets, I was like, 'This is heaven!' England is a place where you get good value for your shots and I love the ball coming onto the bat. The wickets here are a little faster compared to back in India and I love that. It's great to be back."

Superchargers will play their first game of the season on Thursday, against Birmingham Phoenix at Headingley - though after back-to-back washouts in the women's competition, the game is at the behest of the weather. "I'm going to pray the rain stays away," Rodrigues says. "I can't wait for the season to start."