Table of Contents
A monumental stride towards gender equality in cricket has been taken as England’s women cricketers will henceforth receive match fees equal to their male counterparts. This momentous change is set to be implemented starting from the upcoming first T20I against Sri Lanka, marking a significant leap in recognizing and valuing the contributions of female athletes.
This move is a direct result of the explosive growth in interest and support for women’s cricket, evident through record-breaking attendances during the seven Ashes matches held this summer.
The trajectory towards gender pay equity was strongly recommended by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report earlier this summer. The report, which highlighted that the average salary for England Women was 20.6% of their male equivalents (though the ECB’s perspective places this figure closer to 30%), sets forth goals for attaining equal pay at domestic levels by 2029 and for international matches by 2030.
Also READ: Muneeba Ali gets promotion as PCB announces central contracts for women cricketers
A Milestone for the Game
Heather Knight, the captain of England Women’s cricket team, voiced her appreciation for this historic change, emphasizing its role in rendering cricket a more attractive and viable career choice for girls and young women entering the sport. Knight’s sentiment resonates with the larger objective of not only nurturing the growth of the women’s game but also generating a sustainable and appealing cricketing experience for audiences worldwide.
“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’m sure this will make cricket an increasingly attractive sport to girls and young women as we continue to grow the game,” said Knight in a statement.
England’s upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka will begin with a three-match T20I leg on August 31. This will be followed by three One-Day Internationals (ODIs), starting September 09.
