Cricket Australia announces pay hike for contracted domestic cricketers in WNCL and WBBL for 2021-22

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced that the contracted cricketers will receive a 22 per cent pay rise in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) and a 14 per cent increase in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) for the 2021-22 season.

The decision has come on the back of an agreement reached by the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) and CA. According to the reports, close to 4 million AUD will be invested in player welfare through the 2021-22 season. It includes $320,000 for the well-being of players and $250,000 to support them in bringing their partners and dependents along with them during their prolonged time away from home.

The investment also covers a 1.2 million AUD  hike in retainers, $800,000 for WNCL and $400,000 for WBBL, to acknowledge the role of domestic competitions in the development of the game.

Australian skipper Meg Lanning said that the success and prominence of women’s cricket in Australia did not happen by accident. "Cricket has shown that when you properly invest in female sport, the results follow, and everyone benefits – the game, the fans and the players.”

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“Because of the success of the game over the past few years, in which women’s domestic cricket has played a crucial role, the ACA has worked with Cricket Australia to ensure this is reflected in an increase in player payments across both the WNCL and WBBL.”

Todd Greenberg, the ACA CEO, said that they had worked closely with CA to continue to invest in the game – with a focus on the domestic level.  “Investment in women’s cricket is fundamental to the growth of the game overall. We see this as part of an ongoing strategy of continuing to raise the bar for others to follow.”

CA CEO Nick Hockley said that it is another crucial step in driving gender equity in the game. "Our players have made enormous sacrifices the last 18 months. We are extremely proud to have been able to work alongside the ACA to provide a $1.2 million increase in retainers for WBBL and WNCL."

“The WBBL continues to thrive and grow as one of the best women’s domestic sporting competitions in the world. We can’t wait for the seventh edition, with every single game to be televised live for the first time."