The ECB has announced a substantial investment of £800,000 into the salaries of the women’s Hundred for 2024. This financial boost aims to attract top international talent and narrow the gender pay gap, with men’s salaries remaining frozen to further this goal.
Salaries of Hundred Women
Anya Shrubsole celebrated with the Women’s Hundred trophy at Lord’s after Southern Brave clinched the title on August 27, 2023, symbolizing the growing stature of women’s cricket in England. The salaries cap for each of the eight women’s teams will see a 40% increase from £250,000 to £350,000, with the highest earners in each squad set to receive £50,000, a significant rise from the previous years.
Despite these increases, the salaries in the women’s Hundred still lag behind those offered in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, where top players like Smriti Mandhana earn considerably more. However, the ECB’s initiative is seen as a crucial step towards making the Hundred a more attractive option for the world’s best players, which was evident as some top Australians opted out last year due to more lucrative opportunities elsewhere.
The investment is also a move towards addressing the recommendations of the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which last summer urged equal pay in the Hundred by 2025. While the ECB has not fully committed to this, the current increase in women’s salary to 35% of their male counterparts’ average, up from 25% last year, marks significant progress.
The Hundred’s 2024 season, set to run from late July to late August, will overlap with the England men’s third Test against the West Indies and the final week of Major League Cricket (MLC). This scheduling clash could impact player availability, especially with the men’s T20 World Cup happening in the Caribbean and the United States in June.
As the ECB consults with counties on the future of the Hundred, there is consensus on possibly expanding the tournament to nine or ten teams by 2025. One proposed change could see counties receiving equity stakes in the Hundred teams that play at their venues, offering a new model for investment and growth in the sport.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ECB’s strategic investment in women’s salaries not only aims to elevate the profile of the women’s Hundred but also to ensure it plays a vital role in advancing gender equity in cricket. By aligning financial incentives with the sport’s values, the ECB is setting a precedent for how tournaments can drive positive change, making the Hundred a cornerstone of modern, inclusive cricket.