Surrey CCC players set to benefit from new PCA broadcast contract

BY MARCUS HOOK

The Professional Cricketers’ Association committee has voted unanimously to approve a new five-year deal (covering seasons 2020-2024), which ensures all county cricketers will benefit from the improved broadcast contracts secured by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The deal’s announcement also revealed that each of the eight city-based teams for next summer’s new competition, called The Hundred, will have a salary cap of £1million. It means that, on average, each player will receive around £65,000 for six weeks’ work.

In addition, a minimum of 26.5 per cent of ECB central revenue will go to the players.

The County Partnership Agreement secures a rise in the salary collar (the minimum amount a county can spend on player salaries) and the salary cap (the maximum amount a county can spend on the salaries of its players) and an established minimum wage for full-time professionals.

“There has never been a better time to be a professional cricketer,” said Worcestershire’s Daryl Mitchell, who is chairman of the PCA.

“This is a big moment for every current and future professional cricketer in this country. It’s been a long and testing process but ultimately a very rewarding outcome.

“I made a bold statement just over a year ago that we needed to ensure every player benefits from the CPA and after constant dialogue and deliberation between stakeholders and over 70 formal meetings, I am delighted we have achieved this.

“We know the first two years after retirement is an incredibly difficult time so the new retirement pot will bridge a gap to help the transition into a second career.

“One of the most exciting successes is the PCA gaining 100 extra members through the women’s game. The players who participate in the eight new ‘Hundred’ teams will be represented by the PCA as the women’s game continues to evolve in the professional era.”