England Cricket to pay equal match fees to men and women after landmark report
The ECB has confirmed their senior men's and women's teams will receive the same match fees for internationals with immediate effect - although equal pay is yet to be achieved.
The amendment is a landmark moment in the history of women's cricket. In terms of match fees, the women's team were paid just 25 percent of what the men earned in white-ball cricket, with that figure dropping to a mere 15 percent for Test matches.
The move comes after a report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) found that English cricket was 'sexist, elitist and racist'. It recommended the payment of equal match fees to the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).
The women's team will now pocket much greater match fees, starting with Thursday's T20 match against Sri Lanka at Hove. Heather Knight's side will take on their guests in three T20s and three ODIs to end a memorable few months in women's cricket.
The women's team have enjoyed a record-breaking summer, with a huge number of fans attending a pulsating Ashes series. England thought back from 6-0 down to draw the series 8-8, as Australia retained the Ashes as the defending champions.
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England captain Knight insists the decision is "fantastic to see". She added: "It's really important that we continue to drive the women's game forward.
"The direction of travel for the women's game has always been the most important thing, creating a sustainable product that people want to watch and play, and I'm sure this will make cricket an increasingly attractive sport to girls and young women as we continue to grow the game."
ECB chief executive Richard Gould continued: "We are currently considering all the recommendations made by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, but equalising match fees is one immediate step we are pleased to make now.
England's women's team have enjoyed a sensational summer (Getty Images)What do you make of the amendment? Let us know in the comments below!
"We all want cricket to be the team sport of choice for female athletes, and with the investments we are making - and increasingly lucrative opportunities around the world - we are seeing cricketers become some of the highest earning female athletes in UK team sports."
Yet the women's team will not paid the same salaries as the men's team, as match fees are paid on top of salaries. The ICEC found the average salary for the women's team is 20.16 percent of that for the men's team.
The Football Association has paid men's and women's footballers the same amount since 2020, although achieving that equality in cricket is much harder because the sport has a different wage structure. England footballers earn the bulk of their money from clubs, while England cricketers are centrally contracted to the national team.
Gould, who started his role in February, admitted: "However, we know there is still much further to go as we ultimately strive for equality across the game."
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