Match-fee parity: Men and women cricketers to get equal pay in THIS country

Auckland: Women and men cricketers will be paid the same amount for representing New Zealand and playing in top-tier domestic matches in a ground-breaking new deal, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Tuesday.

The total remuneration for men’s and women’s professional players includes retainers, match fees, Trust IP payments, retirement fund contributions and insurance.

"New Zealand’s professional women's and men's cricketers will receive the same pay for the same work on the same day, in a landmark agreement struck between NZC, the six Major Associations, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association," the board said in a statement.

The five-year deal, the first in which the men’s and women’s professional environments have been combined in one agreement, will see the national and domestic women's players receiving the same match fees as the men across all their formats and competitions.

The agreement sees the total number of women’s domestic contracts increase from 54 to 72 to enable players to retain full-time employment and/or study commitments.

In addition, the number of domestic women's annual contracts will be increased from nine to twelve per team, and an annual women’s North v South series for emerging international players will be introduced, complementing the existing development programmes.

White Ferns captain Sophie Devine said the agreement was a game-changer for women’s cricket, "It's great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men. It’s a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls."

Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson 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. This agreement goes a long way towards achieving that." (UNI)