Left Arm Around

The new salaries announced by the ECB for ‘The Hundred’ have generated great controversy, despite increases for both men’s and women’s players.

The top men’s players in Band 1 will earn £200,000 in next year’s competition- a rise of 60% from 2024.

Their female counterparts in the same bracket will now take home £65,000- a rise of 30% from this year.

The most in-demand players will experience great reward as the ECB seeks to attract the best local and international players, amidst the rise of other T20 franchise leagues, but some think the competition is heading down a slippery slope.

“There’s a group of cricketers in England who are pretty upset with the ECB, particularly with the situation around no-objection certificates and now this”, said Will Macpherson, journalist at The Telegraph.

“Players like Tymal Mills have come out and expressed their disappointment on social media.

“It’s interesting how they’ve raised the ceiling without lifting the floor. And by the floor, I mean the lower men’s categories.”

Many have also been left shocked at the gender pay-gap widening, particularly after the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket recommended equal pay by 2025.

“I am very surprised that the ECB has allowed the pay-gap to widen, because that’s not the way of the world of the moment. We’re moving towards a time where men and women are paid the same”, suggested Macpherson.

“That said, the women are paid very well to play this competition. £65,000 for four weeks work is good money by any standard.”