Huge win for Women's cricket as ICC increases winnings, eyes parity

The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Monday, announced that the prize money for the ICC women's events will be increased by $2.6 million. The Council stated that the rise in revenue is proportional to the rise in the revenue generated by the sport.

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An increase in the overall earnings

A press release by ICC said, "For the event in Australia next year the winners and runners up will now receive $1 million and $500,000 respectively; five times the amount on offer in 2018. An overall 320% increase in the prize pot for 2020 (compared to 2018) will see every single one of the 10 competing teams receive significantly more as part of ongoing efforts to drive improved standards throughout the game and not just rewarding the top end." The Council also said that there will be solid increase in the money available for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2021 with the prize pot increasing to $3.5m from $2m in 2017. 

The ICC Board approved the establishment of a U19 Women’s T20 World Cup with the first edition to be played in Bangladesh in 2021 and every two years after that. 

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Long term commitment

ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “We have already stated our long-term commitment to reach parity across men’s and women’s cricket as part of a broader plan to grow and develop the women’s game. We want to build a long-term sustainable foundation for women’s cricket and that is about more than just prize money. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of. Creating a Women’s U19 event also improves the pathway available to young cricketers and ensures they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts. This is a journey we started in earnest in 2017 and next year it’s our ambition to fill the MCG on International Women’s Day for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 which would be a world record for a women’s sporting event. This significant increase in prize money and the introduction of a Women’s U19 event is part of a much larger effort to grow the women’s game around the world.”

The Council also announced that Zimbabwe and Nepal have been readmitted as members of the Council. The former had been suspended after the country’s cricket board, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), was unable to keep out the government interference with the board's administration. 

The Council also stated that Super Over will be retained as a way to decide results at ICC events. 

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