Women's World Cup prize money increased

Among a host of decisions taken at the board meeting in Dubai was an improvement in the purse for women's competitions, following a rise in revenue generated by the sport.

The winners and runners-up at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020 will now receive $1 million and $500,000 respectively, which is five times the amount on offer in 2018. The prize money for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2021, too, gets a boost, rising to $3.5m from the $2m England got for winning the 2017 edition in England.

For the T20 World Cup, an overall increase of 320% in the prize pot for 2020, as compared to 2018, means all the 10 competing teams will receive more for their participation, as part of efforts to drive improved standards throughout the game and not just rewarding the top end.

ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney said: “We have already stated our long-term commitment to reach parity across men’s and women’s cricket as part of a broader plan to grow and develop the women’s game. We want to build a long-term sustainable foundation for women’s cricket and that is about more than just prize money. It is about building a product that fans want to watch, that kids want to take up, that sponsors and broadcasters want to be part of."

The committee also approved the establishment of the U19 Women's T20 World Cup, which will be held once every two years; the first edition will be played in Bangladesh in 2021.

"Creating a women's U19 event also improves the pathway available to young cricketers and ensures they have the same opportunities as their male counterparts," Sawhney said. "This is a journey we started in earnest in 2017 and next year it’s our ambition to fill the MCG on International Women’s Day for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 which would be a world record for a women’s sporting event.

"This significant increase in prize money and the introduction of a women’s U19 event is part of a much larger effort to grow the women’s game around the world."