New Zealand Cricket doubles pay for leading women

With match fees of up to $400 for one-day internationals, leading players could earn more than $40,000 per year, not counting prizemoney and endorsements. (Source: ICC)

New Zealand Cricket will double the pay of its top female players, though the best-paid woman will still earn less than half as much as her lowest-paid male counterpart.

An agreement between NZC and the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association will see New Zealand’s top-15 female players offered annual retainers of between $20,000 to $34,000. With match fees of up to $400 for one-day internationals, leading players could earn more than $40,000 per year, not counting prizemoney and endorsements.

New Zealand’s contracted male players receive retainers of between $83,000 and $200,000 per year.

Chief executive David White said the increases reflect NZC’s commitment to “inclusivity and diversity.” New Zealand is currently ranked third among the world’s’ top-10 women’s teams.