ECB aims at collecting at least £350 m from the stakes in all the eight teams in the Hundred; it sells 49% stakes. ECB Chair Richard Thompson believes that the amount would surpass that comfortably, expecting the deals to be done before January 2025. Two years ago, a private equity group called Bridgepoint offered to buy a majority stake in the Hundred but the ECB declined, desiring to retain full control. Thompson has confirmed that the offer established the benchmark for the ongoing sales process. The teams will be turned intp the franchises and will run as joint ventures with the host counties or the MCC in the case of London Spirit. The sales process started in September 2024 and is now at its second stage. The third and last stage will close early next year. Thompson said there is more interest in the books from many, many different potential investors than anyone had anticipated. The US-based Raine Group is running the sale. Thompson commented that an amount of £350m is a minimum target for the sales, the first time the ECB has publicly confirmed such a figure. Also Read | Watch: Virat Kohli Gives Priceless Reaction to a Journalist, Video Goes Viral To City AM, Thompson told: "Our target was to raise £350 million from sales. I think we're going to exceed that comfortably, but we've still got some way to go. I think all of us have been genuinely shocked over the quality and quantity of interest… There's hardly anyone in sport that isn't at the table." Last week, questions were fired at ECB from the DCMS committee on the repercussions of the sale for the game of English cricket. Chief Executive Richard Gould has responded to the points raised by Caroline Dinenage, the committee's chair-person, justifying the move as crucial for the game's future. Gould Wrote: "This process presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for a significant capital injection into cricket in England and Wales. It is a rare moment when we have the collective power to ensure that these funds are utilised fully in ways that will provide long-term financial sustainability for the whole game." The sale seeks to bring in fresh investment for the Hundred while making sure the ECB retains control at 51%.