Cricket players’ salaries vary globally based on each cricket board’s budget, the sport’s popularity, and the economic conditions within each country. Here’s an expanded look at which countries pay the highest salaries:
1. India
- The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) leads with the highest pay structure for top players. Players in the A+ category (like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah) receive an annual retainer fee of ₹7 crore (around USD 850,000). Additional match fees for each format and a share of revenue from the Indian Premier League (IPL) further boost earnings.
- BCCI’s contracts provide a strong financial structure, with Grade A, B, and C contracts offering ₹5 crore, ₹3 crore, and ₹1 crore respectively. India’s top players also earn substantial income through endorsements due to their high marketability.
2. England
- England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) provides competitive salaries to their centrally contracted players. Test match contracts can total approximately GBP 925,000 (USD 1.2 million) for players like Joe Root and Ben Stokes. Players in white-ball contracts earn around GBP 650,000 (USD 850,000). Match fees and tournament bonuses, particularly for players in events like The Hundred, supplement these earnings.
3. Australia
- Cricket Australia (CA) ranks next, with annual retainers that provide top players, like Pat Cummins and Steve Smith, up to AUD 1.5 million (USD 1 million). CA also includes performance-based match fees, with Test fees around AUD 20,000 per game. Additional income from the Big Bash League (BBL) also contributes to their earnings.
4. Pakistan
- Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) offers comparatively lower central contracts. Players in the highest (A) category earn around PKR 14.3 million annually (USD 48,000), along with match fees and bonuses. Due to lower contract salaries, many Pakistani players rely on T20 leagues like the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to supplement their earnings.
5. New Zealand
- New Zealand Cricket (NZC) pays top players around NZD 550,000 (USD 330,000) in retainers for top-tier players like Kane Williamson. Match fees and bonuses contribute to the income, although the structure is less than top-paying countries.
While India, England, and Australia lead in pay scales, players in countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh often participate in multiple T20 leagues worldwide to earn higher incomes, given the limited central contract payments in their countries.