England’s women cricketers have taken a significant step towards gender parity with the announcement that minimum starting salaries in domestic cricket will be equalized across the men’s and women’s professional games from 2025. This move aligns with the recommendations of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) report, which called for a “fundamental overhaul” of the pay structure in women’s cricket.
The equalization of salaries will apply to both ‘Rookie’ level, which is being introduced into the women’s game for the first time, and ‘Senior Pro’ level for established first-team players. This decision reflects the ECB’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for young players considering cricket as a career choice.
The announcement comes after the ICEC report revealed that the average England Women’s salary was significantly lower than their male counterparts. The report set targets for equalizing pay at domestic level by 2029 and for internationals by 2030.
In addition to equalizing starting salaries, the ECB has also confirmed that the eight Tier 1 counties in the new women’s competition will have minimum squad sizes of 15 contracted players. Each first-class county is required to invest at least £500,000 on player salary costs in 2025, with a salary cap of £800,000 per year agreed for those clubs.
Emma Reid, PCA Director of Player Rights and Women’s Cricket, welcomed the announcement, stating that it is a “big step towards reaching parity.” She emphasized that the PCA remains committed to achieving full parity across all areas of the professional game.
The equalization of minimum starting salaries is a testament to the growing recognition of the value and talent of women cricketers. It is a positive step towards creating a more equitable and sustainable environment for women’s cricket in England and Wales.
