Sri Lanka Cricket triples match fees for women’s cricketers

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has tripled the match fee it pays to women’s international cricketers, and has also introduced a “winning bonus”.

Where players had been paid US$250 per white-ball game, they will now receive US$750. If they win, they will also get a further US$250. Squad members who did not play the match, meanwhile, will get 25% of the match fee.

“The move is part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s efforts towards further enhancing women’s cricket in the country and empowering female cricketers,” a board release said.

The news comes on the heels of Sri Lanka’s strong start at the T20 World Cup, where they upset hosts South Africa in their tournament opener, before defeating Bangladesh on Sunday.

SLC has at times been accused of failing to prioritise women’s cricket, particularly during the pandemic, with Sri Lanka not playing a match between March 2020 and January 2022.

The increased match fee is also only a fraction of what the men’s national side gets paid. They received US$3000 per T20I and US$4000 per ODI as per their most-recent contracts.

But the hike in match fees is substantial nevertheless, particularly in the light of Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic crisis. (ESPNcricinfo)