Female Cricket Players Get Much-Needed Pay Rise

Top Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry photographed for our #wearethe51 April issue special. Photo: Hugh Stewart

Cricket Australia has announced that our top women players are set to get a pay rise. The increased investment will more than double state players salaries to $17,000. It will also mean that CA-contracted players could now earn retainers of more than $50,000, taking their potential earnings to $85,000 in the coming year.

It’s a move in the right direction, according to Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland but “we are still working towards the day when Australia's female cricketers will be able to earn a full-time, professional living from cricket.

“The performances of our female stars justify this step and the day will come when future, full-time professional female cricketers will look back and thank those who went before them."

Despite the increase, there’s still a long way to go before female players’ pay packets resemble those of our top male players. Last year, eleven men cricketers numbered amongst the BRW Top 50 sports earners list with Shane Watson and Michael Clarke taking home $6 million and $5.5 million.