England women’s cricketers to be paid tour fees

Summary of story from WomenSportReport, October 3, 2011

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced that its investment in the rewards available to England’s women cricketers is to double.

And for the first time players will receive tour and incentivised appearance fees. The new payments will take effect from the upcoming tour of South Africa, due to start later this month.

This announcement comes hard on the heels of a recent appointment of five specialist coaches to work across women’s and girls’ cricket.

At the moment 20 players receive a monthly payment, including seven who also coach children under the Cricket Foundation’s Chance to Shine scheme. These payments are due to increase on January 1.

The England Women’s team is currently ICC (International Cricket Council) Women’s World Cup champions, and will be looking to defend the title in 2013.

The ECB head of women’s cricket, Clare Connor, said: “This is a significant step forward for women’s sport in this country and a great boost for the England team.”