Cricket South Africa take step towards pay parity, announce equal match fees for genders
Cape Town [South Africa] (Source ANI Input): South Africa became the latest country to guarantee equal pay for men and women after announcing that all of their cricketers will get the same match costs for international matches, according to the International Cricket Council.
The Proteas join New Zealand and India as countries that have declared gender wage equality. This decision follows the ICC's historic declaration earlier this year of equal prize money for men's and women's teams at ICC competitions.
The latest news from South Africa follows a highly successful 18-month period for the SA national women's team, which saw them reach the semi-finals of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2022 and then advance to the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year.
This was the first time in South African cricket history that a senior side had reached the World Cup final.
Leaders from across the country gathered in Tshwane on Tuesday to unveil an upgraded framework for their domestic women's tournament as well as equal compensation for both male and female foreign players.
Teams in South Africa's domestic tournament will now be permitted to hire up to 11 players - five more than previously - as well as more full-time coaches and support personnel.
Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki stated that the reforms announced are an essential step towards building on the legacy offered by hosting the T20 World Cup earlier this year, and would assist the country expand women's cricket.
"We are thrilled to unveil the Professional Women's Cricket League, an initiative that celebrates our national women's cricket team's remarkable achievements and paves the way for an even brighter future," Moseki said, according to the ICC.
"The professionalisation of the women's domestic structure aims to elevate the women's cricketing landscape by providing a platform for local talent to shine, while also fostering a culture of sporting excellence and inspiring the next generation of players." "We believe that South African cricket's success on the global stage will serve as a stepping stone for local talent, creating an environment that fosters growth, resilience, and a deep love for the sport," Moseki added.
"Fans, players, and sponsors have all expressed enthusiasm for professionalising women's domestic structures." "We urge brands to continue their support for women's cricket, recognising the league's potential to reshape the narrative around women in sports in the country," Moseki concluded.
South Africa's women's cricketers will begin paying new match fees next month when they travel to Pakistan for a six-match white-ball series against the Asian side.
South Africa will play three Twenty20 Internationals in Karachi beginning September 1 and three 50-over matches beginning September 8.