New Zealand cricketers have signed a groundbreaking new agreement that will see men's and women's cricketers receive the same match fees across all formats and competitions.
The five-year deal — which is the first negotiated jointly by New Zealand's men's and women's cricketers — will see its players take home a 29.75 per cent of all New Zealand Cricket (NZC) revenue over that period.
That amount is expected to be $NZ104 million ($94.2 million) — its part of the total revenue pool of $NZ349m — and will result in a significant pay rise for New Zealand's national women's players, the White Ferns.
The top-paid White Ferns players will receive a maximum of $NZ163,246 a year (up from $NZ83,432), while the lowest-paid White Ferns will take home $NZ142,326 (up from $NZ62,833).
Top-ranked domestic women's cricketers, meanwhile, will receive a maximum of $NZ19,146, while the lowest-paid will receive $NZ18,146 (both up from $NZ3,423).
However, this does not mean women's cricketers will end up being paid the same as men.
The Black Caps — the national New Zealand men's team — also received a pay rise, with their top-ranked players taking home a maximum of $NZ523,396 (up from $NZ459,574), and a minimum of $NZ367,196 (up from $NZ305,453).
The top-ranked men's domestic cricketers, meanwhile, will now receive a maximum of $NZ102,707, and a minimum of $NZ75,207.
White Ferns captain Sophie Devine nonetheless hailed the agreement as a game-changer for women's cricket in the country.
"It's great for the international and domestic women's players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men."
New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) chief executive David White said the deal was the sport's "most important".
"It represents a significant step forward as we continue to grow our investment in women's cricket," White said.
"We're thrilled to now have one agreement that includes our entire playing group.
"The new agreement ensures players are well rewarded for what they bring to the game."
