Cricket Australia (CA) has come up with a big plan to help women’s cricket grow over the next ten years. They’ve made some changes to the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) and have some exciting goals.
First, they’re making the WBBL season shorter, with 40 games plus finals. This makes it similar to the men’s Big Bash League. The idea is to make the schedule better and keep the same number of games on TV.
CA also wants to give more chances to local players. They’re starting a new state-based T20 tournament. This means more games for players and more chances to show their skills. And they’re going to pay players more, which is great news.
CA has some big money goals too. They want to make an extra AU$100 million from women’s cricket in the next ten years. Plus, they want to get more girls aged 5-12 playing cricket – from 25,000 to 100,000!
They’re also spending a lot on cricket grounds for women – AU$500 million. This means better places for players to practice and play.
CA wants more women in important roles too. They want at least 40% of the big jobs in cricket to go to women. This includes jobs on the board and in the community.
And there’s more good news for fans! They’re going to have more big matches in the best stadiums. The women’s Ashes Test is going to be at the MCG. That’s a big deal because it’s been 90 years since women’s Test cricket started! There will also be T20 matches at Adelaide Oval and the SCG.
Star player Ellyse Perry thinks this plan is great. She says it’s important to keep putting money into women’s cricket and making it grow. With more people watching and playing, women’s cricket is going to get even better in Australia.
“Australian Cricket has been at the forefront of the growth in women’s sport providing some of the best opportunities for players with resourcing and remuneration and it’s reassuring to know this commitment will not only be sustained, but greatly enhanced over the next 10 years,” Perry said in a CA statement.
