ECB introduces pay parity for men and women cricketers! Joins India, South Africa, and New Zealand

This latest development from the ECB came after England's excellent performance in the Ashes series.

ECB introduces pay parity for men and women cricketers! Joins India, South Africa, and New Zealand

England Women team (Image via Getty Images)

After a long wait, the England Cricket Board (ECB) now joins the boards of India, South Africa, and New Zealand after it implemented the historic equal pay parity for men and women cricketers. This latest development from the ECB came after England’s excellent performance in the Ashes series.

England Women, led by Heather Knight, though lost the one-off Test, secured the victories in the ODI and T20I series against Australia. The English crowd also showed inclination for the series and even set records at stadiums in Lord’s, Oval, Edgbaston, and other grounds. A total of 110,000 people watched the game across the mentioned stadiums.

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ECB chief executive, Richard Gould, said that women’s game is the board’s key priority and has been working hard by investing more to grow the game in England. He accepted that the board has a long way to go to ensure equality across the game, international and domestic.

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English skipper Heather Knight hopes pay parity will attract young girls to cricket

ECB introduces pay parity for men and women cricketers! Joins India, South Africa, and New Zealand
Heather Knight (Image via Getty Images)

England captain Heather Knight hopes that this step by ECB will young girls take up the sport and make it their career. The new pay parity will begin with England’s match against Sri Lanka, on Thursday (August 31) at The 1st Central Ground County Ground Hove in Brighton.

“It’s really important that we continue to drive the women’s game forward and it’s fantastic to see equal match fees for England Women and England Men,” England Women skipper Heather Knight told ICC. “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.”

New Zealand was the first country to introduce pay parity in 2022. India joined the Kiwis and implemented the same year.

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