More money; more accessible live coverage, more progress and ambition: that’s the summary of a raft of International Cricket Council initiatives aimed at boosting growth in the women’s game – starting with this year’s ICC Women’s World Cup in England.
The announcements, following a series of transformational decisions at ICC meetings in Dubai last month, signal the start of the world body’s long-term commitment to growing, and seizing the opportunities presented in, women’s cricket.
Prize money for this year’s ICC Women’s World Cup will be US$2m, a ten-fold increase since the previous tournament in 2013 and, even more significantly, the ICC has announced an intention to achieve prize-money parity within the next 15 years.
In another notable boost for women’s cricket, fans will be able to access live coverage of every game of the upcoming tournament, via either television broadcasts or online streaming.
50 days until the @ICC @cricketworldcup! @rachelpriest13 and @AmySatterthwait are excited. #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/XxvEF0yTpc
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) May 5, 2017
The ICC have stated an intent to move towards equality across the game, and in this regard will launch, after the world cup, a blueprint plotting the growth and sustainability of women’s cricket.
New Zealand Cricket strongly supported the ICC initiatives, all of which dovetail neatly with the intent and direction of its Women & Cricket Strategy, announced late last year.
NZC chief executive David White said the moves represented a likely turning point for the health of women’s international cricket.
“New Zealand Cricket is delighted to be part of such a watershed time, and is fully committed to the ICC’s goals in terms of growing the women’s game,” he said.
“In particular, we’re enormously supportive of the decision to either broadcast or stream every game of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup live – making this pinnacle event more accessible than ever before.
NZC CEO David White talking to @NewshubSport about the current revolution in women's sport #WWC17 #prizemoney #allgameslivestreamed pic.twitter.com/dSg0kSahEt
— WHITE FERNS (@WHITE_FERNS) May 5, 2017
“The increase in prize-money; the stated commitment to prize-money parity: this represents a true sea-change in terms of the international mood towards women’s cricket,” said Mr White.
“I think we’re seeing a real awakening, underpinned by a recognition of women’s cricket as one of the great opportunities to grow the global game.”
Other initiatives at the world cup include the first drone cameras and Spidercam to be used at Lord’s, the use of the Decision Review System in all televised games, and a fresh new graphics platform to highlight scoring and statistical milestones.
