Substantial pay hike for Australia's women cricketers

Cricket Australia and the state associations have given Australia's women domestic players a substantial pay hike through a $600,000 investment, ensuring the best state players could get up to $17,000. Additionally, the players who are contracted to CA can earn retainers in excess of $50,000. This investment will increase the Women's Payment Fund by 36% from last year, up to $2.26 million.

Players signed for the Women's Big Bash League T20 competition will receive retainers between $3000 and $10,000. Also, players contracted to Women's National Cricket League - a 50-over tournament - will receive the maximum $7000 retainer. The signing of foundation players will be the WBBL clubs' next target as the window for the inaugural season is now open.

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia CEO, said the investment will move Australia women's cricket in the right direction. "We are still working towards the day when Australia's female cricketers will be able to earn a full-time, professional living from cricket," Sutherland said. "But the performances of our female stars justify this step and the day will come when future, full-time professional female cricketers will look back and thank those who went before them."

Australia won the Women's World Cup in 2013 in India, as well as the Women's World Twenty20 in 2014 in Bangladesh.