Pay increase for New Zealand players

New Zealand's first-class players will earn a pay rise after the revenue for New Zealand Cricket was forecast to increase by nearly NZ$10 million over the next four years.

A four-year agreement has been reached between the cricket board, the six major associations and the players' association (NZCPA) which will run from 2006-2010. Over this period the revenue is estimated to increase from $88,993,656 to $97,353,305.

This will lead to there being nearly an extra million dollars in the player payment pool, which funds the centrally contracted players from each association. With the extra money available the number of players on contracts will increase from 11 to 12.

Martin Snedden, NZC chief executive, said: "The negotiations were positive and constructive. We have formed a solid partnership with the NZCPA in the past four years and I expect that relationship will become even stronger during the term of the new contract."