Top women's cricketers will be able to earn up to $80,000 a year with a newly negotiated player agreement coming into force with New Zealand Cricket.
White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaite Photo: Photosport
There will be 17 centrally contracted White Ferns up from 15 with a minimum retainer of $44,000 up to $64,000 with the possibility of adding to the with up to $16,000 in match fees.
The top figure of $80,000 is up from the previous high of $48,000.
There will also be eight centrally contracted developing player contracts worth a minimum of $7500 for participating in New Zealand Cricket high performance programmes and the two domestic competitions.
Contracted White Ferns players can also play in overseas competition to supplement their income when not involved in international or domestic matches.
The new agreement more than doubles current White Ferns play payment pool of $500,000 to $1.1 million for the next year.
Each province will also offer nine players retainers of $3250.
In a statement from New Zealand Cricket, White Ferns captain Amy Satterthwaite said the Women's Master Agreement was "historic and progressive" and was a "major breakthrough for women's cricket...particularly in terms of financial consideration for players below international level."
"I know people tend to focus on the White Ferns contracts but the investment in domestic and developing players is an important step forward for women's cricket in New Zealand," she said.
Satterthwaite said the increase in remuneration for international players "means all White Ferns can now ply their trade as fulltime professional cricketers as well as having the flexibility to participate in overseas leagues - which is a huge leap forward for all involved.
It still pales in comparison to the men's game where the top-20 players are ranked 1-20 and paid an annual retainer.
Retainers last year ranged from $236,000 for the top-ranked down to $100,000 for 18-20.
Match fees were $9000 per test, $4000 per ODI and $2500 per T20 international.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson is the side's top earner with an annual New Zealand Cricket retainer of $236,000 plus a $50,000 captain's bonus, before match fees.
-RNZ