On April 3, 2023, a new five-year deal between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association resulted in a significant pay increase for the country’s women cricketers. This pay hike will see a rise of 66% for professional women players, with the top contracted player potentially earning over Aus$1 million per year. In total, players will be sharing a pool worth Aus$133 million, which is up from the previous agreement’s Aus$80 million. The agreement will reward players not only from Australia’s world champion team but will also increase the value of Big Bash League and state contracts.
The top contract holder, who also has a Women’s Big Bash League contract, believed to be national captain Meg Lanning, could now earn more than Aus$800,000 a year. The next six contracted players will earn an average of Aus$500,000. Those who compete in the Women’s National Cricket League and WBBL, but not for Australia, will be paid over Aus$151,000 annually.
The MOU (memorandum of understanding) represents a significant step forward in the rise of women’s cricket. The CA Chief, Nick Hockley, said that this deal will result in significant increases in remuneration for the inspirational role models of the world champion Australian women’s team and the WBBL. He also mentioned that cricket now offers the best earning opportunities of any team sport for elite female sportspeople.
Additionally, the number of CA men’s contracts will increase from 17-20 to 20-24, recognizing the number of players now selected across various formats. The value of those contracts will increase 7.5% in the first year and two percent thereafter, with an average earning of Aus$951,000 plus match payments in 2023-24.
