Australia's female domestic cricketers have been given a pay rise.
A $600,000 investment by Cricket Australia and the state and territory associations will more than double the best state players' pay to $17,000.
In addition to these domestic payments, CA-contracted cricketers can earn retainers of more than $50,000 plus tour payments, lifting potential earnings to $85,000 over the coming year.
The investment will take the total Women's Payment Fund to $2.26 million - up 36 per cent on last year.
All Women's National Cricket League (50-over competition) contracted players will now receive the maximum $7,000 retainer, with all those signed to play in the new WBBL T20 competition receiving additional retainers of $3000 to $10,000.
WBBL clubs will be looking to sign their foundation players now the contracting window is open for the inaugural season.
CA CEO James Sutherland said the pay increases were a step in the right direction.
"We are still working towards the day when Australia's female cricketers will be able to earn a full-time, professional living from cricket," he said.
"But 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."
The WBBL launches next season with teams aligned to the existing eight T20 Big Bash League (BBL) men's teams.
The competitions will mostly run concurrently during the BBL December-January window, with many WBBL matches on weekends.
"It is an exciting time for the WBBL, with clubs signing foundation players for the inaugural season," said Sutherland.
"The Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars are the top-ranked women's team in the world and clubs will be vying for the signatures of these world-class players, along with the strong emerging talent we have across the country.
"We want cricket to be the number one sport for girls and women in Australia and we believe that the WBBL can assist this goal by creating an inspiring visible pathway for the next generation of players, fans and volunteers."
Share
