England Women will get equal fees as that of the Men’s Cricket team. This will be active from their match against Sri Lanka which will start from Friday.
ICEC (Independent Commission for Equality in Cricket) found that the Women were getting only 20.6% of their male equivalent. The ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) considers the figure to be close to 30%. ICEC also focuses on the target that the pay for the domestic circuit will be equal by 2029 and for that international by 2030.
Earlier the Indian Cricket team and South African team declared equal pay for both Men and Women. Also ICC announced equal pay in the ICC events which start from this year’s World Cup.
Richard Gourd, ECB chief executive officer
“This summer’s thrilling Metro Bank Women’s Ashes series demonstrated how women’s cricket is continuing to grow at pace in this country, with record attendances and TV viewing. Growing the women’s and girl’s game is a key priority for us, and in recent years we have considerably increased investment both in building a domestic women’s structure to produce the players of the future, and in increasing player rewards.
In the years ahead we will continue to invest ahead of revenues. We are currently considering all the recommendations made by the Independent Commision for Equality in Cricket, but equalizing match fees is one immediate step we are pleased to make now. We all want Cricket to be the team sport of choice for female athletes and with the investment we are making and increasing lucrative opportunities around the world we are seeking cricketers to become some of the highest earning female athletes in UK team sports.
However we know there is still much further to go as we ultimately strive for equality across the game. As we continue to grow women’s cricket we will continue to focus on making investments that stretch far and wide across the women’s cricket structures, delivering a thriving, profitable and future proofed game.”
Heather Knight, England Women Captain
“It is really important that we continue to drive the women’s game forward and it’s fantastic to see equal match fees for England Women and England Men. The direction of travel for the women’s game has always been the most important thing, creating a sustainable product that people want to watch and play, and I am sure this will make cricket an increasingly attractive sport to girls and young women as we continue to grow the game.
I would also like to thank the PCA and England Women’s Player Partnership for their support in representing the players and the growth of the professional games.”