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The new pay deal reached between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) this week, following months of bitter negotiations, is set to provide a massive boost for Australian womens’ cricket.

The modernised revenue-sharing formula, with contracts applying to all male and female players for the first time in the game, will see female player payments increase from $7.5 million to $55.2 million.

Lauded as the biggest pay rise in the history of women's sport in the country, ACA Chief Executive Alistair Nicholson explained that the new contracts deliver “a gender equity pay model, with the biggest pay rise in the history of women's sport in Australia.”

Under the new formula, Cricket Australia forecasts that it will deliver a player payments pool of $459 million, covering all male and female players.

In addition, the performance pool will continue for male players while being extended to include the Australian women's team.

In a statement, ACA President Greg Dyer advised “the ACA is delighted for the men and women who play the game now and in the future.

"And for the game of cricket which will continue to benefit from the partnership model which has served cricket so well.

"One MOU for men and women, the maintenance of the partnership model, and record investments for grassroots cricket is what we wanted and it's what has been achieved.

"The men and women have been rewarded for sticking together and for having the courage of their convictions. They have made history and created a legacy for generations of players to come."

The pay deal's key features:

Player Payments Pool (PPP)
(All male and female player payments and programs apart from Performance Pool)
A modernised revenue sharing formula achieved by developing a PPP to a dollar value based on external market benchmarks, internal equity and financial viability, and forecast cricket revenues.

PPP of $459 million (would be the equivalent of 27.5% assuming Australian Cricket Revenue [ACR] of $1.67 billion).

Includes player development program increased from $7 million to $14 million.

Performance Pool (PP)
Continues for the Australian men's team on similar terms to the last MOU and extended to include the Australian women's team.

Female player payments
Female player payments will increase from $7.5 million to $55.2 million.

Adjustment ledger
If ACR exceeds $1.67 billion, players receive 19% of the upside to $1.96 billion ACR and grassroots cricket receives 8.5%. Above $1.96 billion, male and female players receive 27.5%.

Additional grassroots funding
Up to $30 million that would otherwise have gone to the PPP under the old model.

Nicholson said the resolved dispute sees male and female players engaged as partners in the game, adding “to have retained the revenue-sharing model and increased the level we have and ensure that men, women, domestic and international players receive a fair share is great news for the players and for the game.

"It's right that all players, men and women will be partners in the game because that's a fair outcome. It ensures a game with all parties pulling in the same direction.

"I pay tribute to all of the players for their resolve. Enduring uncertainty and unemployment has been very difficult. They are terrific young men and women who have been rewarded for their determination.

"I especially congratulate Steve Smith, David Warner, Meg Lanning, Alex Blackwell and all ACA delegates for their outstanding leadership. They led the players in this process and prevailed."

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