• Hampshire owners GMR Group snap up Brave
• Four of the eight franchises will now have IPL backers

English cricket has completed arguably its greatest transformation in living memory after Southern Brave became the eighth and final Hundred franchise to be bought in a landmark sale totalling close to £1bn.

Hampshire’s owners GMR Group – co-owners of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League – secured the 49% stake in Southern Brave on Wednesday, as was widely expected. It means the county, set to be handed the other 51% of the team, will take full control of Southern Brave once the final details are ironed out.