Former Proteas Women captain and current Match Referee, Shandre Fritz, has voiced her support for the equal pay announcement by Cricket South Africa (CSA).
This landmark decision places South Africa alongside New Zealand and India, countries that have already embraced pay parity between genders. The move comes on the heels of the ICC’s recent commitment to offer equal prize money to men’s and women’s teams at ICC events.
While CSA is yet to unveil the full details, Fritz expressed her positive outlook on the development.
She noted, “I think it’s wonderful and about time. The female cricketers have worked so hard to break this barrier, not just the current players but those that went before too. I’m sure everyone is super proud, and all the efforts have not been in vain, even though so many played without remuneration.”
Fritz’s perspective brings to light the enduring dedication of female cricketers and emphasizes the importance of recognizing their contributions. She also highlighted the responsibility of the current generation to create a more equitable landscape for future players. “Remember the responsibility we have towards the next generation and that we need to leave cricket in a better space for those to come. To play Cricket is a privilege not a right.”
This anticipation for equal pay comes in the wake of the Proteas women’s team’s historic achievement, as they reached the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The recognition garnered by this success has led to substantial support, including the government’s allocation of R15 million for the launch of a professional Women’s domestic league, along with R7.5 million in direct incentives for players from the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture.
As news of pay parity makes its way through the cricket community, the momentum for change is palpable. This evolution builds upon the progress made over the past decade, starting with the introduction of the first-ever professional contracts for selected players back in 2013.
With successful Women’s World Cups and the standout performance of the Proteas Women, CSA is poised to further advance the professionalization of women’s cricket.
CSA’s ongoing efforts to advance women’s cricket has earned them recognition as finalists for the Federation of the Year award at the 2023 Momentum gsport Awards, while the Proteas feature in the Team of the Year and star batter, Laura Wolvaardt is included in the Momentum Athlete of the Year category. Your participation in shaping the future of women’s cricket matters—cast your vote at gsport.co.za/voting and contribute to the transformation of women’s cricket in the Class of 2023.
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