The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday that they have raised match fees for the women’s team to align them with the men’s team.
This adjustment will be implemented immediately, beginning with the upcoming three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka, commencing on Thursday.
This decision comes in the wake of the remarkable turnouts at the Women’s Ashes series held in June and July, with a total attendance of 110,000 spectators and all three one-day internationals being completely sold out.
“It’s fantastic to see equal match fees,” England women’s captain Heather Knight said. “I’m sure this will make cricket an increasingly attractive sport to girls and young women as we continue to grow the game.”
The change was recommended in a report released last month by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, which said the women’s match fees were 25% of the men’s for white-ball matches and 15% for test matches.
“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,” ECB chief executive Richard Gould said.
“We all want cricket to be the team sport of choice for female athletes… However, we know there is still much further to go as we ultimately strive for equality across the game.”
The modification was suggested in a report published last month by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket. The report indicated that the women’s match fees were 25% of the men’s for white-ball matches and 15% for test matches.