New Zealand Male And Female Cricketers Sign Landmark Deal That Ensures Equal Pay

New Zealand female cricketers and male cricketers signed a five-year deal that ensures equal pay. The landmark deal in which male and female cricketers receive equal pay marks the first time that men’s cricket and women’s cricket were combined into one agreement.

The agreement signed by the New Zealand Cricket and the Players’ Association (NZCPA) sees that the New Zealand female cricketers at international and domestic levels will receive the same match fees as men across all formats and competitions, including ODIs, T20Is, Dream11 Super Smash, and Ford Trophy.

The agreement also increases the number of contracts offered to female cricketers. Under the agreement, the number of women’s domestic contracts will increase from 54 to 72 and the number of domestic women’s annual contracts will increase from 9 to 12 per team.

Men will earn higher retainers due to the higher number of matches played, formats contested, and time spent training and playing.

The agreement will start on August 1 and will also increase the funding for NZCPA’s support services and equity in areas such as travel and accommodation.

New Zealand Female Cricket Team To Receive Equal Pay

The New Zealand women’s national cricket team captain Sophie Devine said, “It’s great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men.” Devine added that the agreement was “a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls”.

Captain of the New Zealand male cricket team Kane Stuart Williamson spoke about the agreement and said “It’s really important for the current players to build on the legacy of those who have gone before us, and to support tomorrow’s players, both men and women, at all levels.” Williamson said the agreement would go “a long way towards achieving that”.

The Cricket Players Association, NZCPA Chief Executive Heath Mills said he was thrilled that there was one agreement that included the entire Cricket playing group and wasn’t divided on the basis of gender. Mill said that "The new agreement ensures the players are well rewarded for what they bring to the game and, importantly, are supported through increased investment in personal development and well-being programs".

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