Dhaka, Feb. 14 -- The cascade of cash into English cricket created by the auction of stakes in Hundred franchises climaxed on Wednesday with a deal for Southern Brave.

It takes the total value of the eight-team tournament close to a mammoth £1 billion ($1.2 billion).GMR, the owners of the Brave's host county Hampshire and the co-owners of Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals, have agreed to pay a reported fee of nearly £50 million for a 49 percent holding in the team.

A period of exclusivity between the counties and their prospective investors will now ensue as details of each deal for a club in the 100 balls per side competition, which features both men and women's teams, are finalised.

But with the sales process c...