Every cricket board around the globe has contracts in place for its players, determining their fees. While many boards offer substantial sums to their players, some pay significantly less. Over the years, numerous players have clashed with their boards over salary disputes.
1. England
If you believe that Indian cricketers are the highest earners, think again. It’s actually the English players who command the highest salaries. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) compensates its players with 18.5 lakh for each Test match, making it the highest payment by any cricket board for Test matches.
For One Day Internationals (ODIs), English players receive 10 lakh per match, which is again the highest among all cricket boards. In the shortest format, T20 Internationals, they earn 5.1 lakh for each match they play.
2. Australia
Similar to England, Australia boasts a well-funded cricket board. However, Australian players earn less than their English counterparts. For each Test match, Aussie players receive 11 lakh.
In One Day Internationals (ODIs), they earn 8.5 lakh, which is actually higher than what the BCCI pays its players for ODIs. T20 International specialists in Australia enjoy the highest match fee in the world, raking in an impressive 5.6 lakh per T20I match.
3. Pakistan
While we’ve discussed boards that offer substantial payments to their players per match, let’s turn our attention to a board that compensates its athletes less than one might expect. It’s surprising that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does not provide high match fees to its players. Pakistani cricketers receive 3.6 lakh for each Test match they play.
In ODIs, the fee drops to 2.2 lakh per match, and for T20Is, players earn 1.6 lakh each time they take the field. Notably, the difference between the match fees for ODIs and T20Is is relatively small.
4. Bangladesh
As previously noted, Pakistan isn’t the only cricket board that offers lower match fees to its players. Unfortunately, salaries for players in Bangladesh are also quite modest. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) compensates its players with 2.6 lakh rupees for each Test match they participate in.
In the shorter formats of the game, the payment for Bangladeshi players is 1.7 lakh rupees for each ODI match. For T20 Internationals, the compensation is slightly lower at 1 lakh rupees per game. The pay difference between ODI and T20I matches is minimal.
5. India
It’s widely recognized that the BCCI is the wealthiest cricket board globally, which translates into substantial match fees for their players. Indian cricketers earn 15 lakh for each Test match they play.
Given that India participates in numerous Test matches each year, players who specialize in this format can accumulate significant earnings. For One Day Internationals (ODIs), Indian players receive 6 lakh per match, which is also a considerable sum.
Finally, the BCCI compensates players with 3 lakh for every T20 International (T20I) match, ensuring that T20 specialists can also make a good income. In summary, these are the match fees paid by the BCCI to Indian players representing the country.
6. South Africa
The match fees for Proteas players are somewhat complex. While their compensation for Test matches is fairly reasonable, the fees for ODI and T20I matches are significantly lower. Cricket South Africa (CSA) pays players 3.3 lakh rupees for each Test they participate in.
In contrast, Proteas players receive just 87,000 rupees for each ODI, and a mere 58,000 rupees for every T20I match. This is less than what players from Bangladesh and Pakistan earn for similar formats.
7. Sri Lanka
As previously mentioned, Sri Lankan players have encountered some issues with their board regarding salary disputes. Consequently, they have agreed to participate in the upcoming series without a contract. Notably, Sri Lankan players receive higher match fees compared to their counterparts from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and even South Africa.
For each Test match, Sri Lankan players earn 5.5 lakh rupees, while they receive 4 lakh rupees for every ODI. The fee difference between ODIs and T20Is is 1.5 lakh rupees, with players earning 2.5 lakh rupees for each T20I match.
8) New Zealand
The match fees for New Zealand players are moderate but lag behind those of the “big three” cricketing nations: India, England, and Australia. For each Test match, Kiwi players earn 4.5 lakh rupees, while they receive 2 lakh rupees per ODI and 1.3 lakh rupees for every T20I. It’s unfortunate that the Black Caps don’t have frequent match schedules.
Unlike other teams that often play Test series of three, four, or even five matches, New Zealand typically engages in series featuring just two Tests. This limited number of matches puts the Kiwis at a disadvantage compared to their counterparts, making them appear somewhat unlucky in terms of earning potential.