Cricket is among the highest-paying sports globally, thanks to its vast international audience. Players representing their countries in international cricket receive substantial salaries from their respective boards. England, the founding nation of cricket, ranks third in offering the highest salaries to its players.

Following disappointing performances in the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2016 T20 World Cup, England restructured its approach by developing specialized squads for red-ball and white-ball formats. Let’s examine the salary structure for England cricketers across both formats.

England cricketers’ pay varies depending on their contract type, the format of the game they play, and whether they are playing domestically or internationally. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is responsible for setting the pay structure for cricketers, and players can earn money through central contracts, match fees, sponsorships, and endorsements.

1. Central Contracts:

England cricketers can be awarded central contracts by the ECB. These contracts are usually divided into different categories based on the player’s importance and role within the team. There are Red-ball contracts (for Test cricket) and White-ball contracts (for limited-overs formats). Players who are awarded central contracts typically earn a salary that provides them with a stable income for the year.

Salary for Central Contracts:

Top Tier (Full Central Contract): The salary for a player on a full central contract can range between £700,000 to £1.1 million per year. This includes base salary and match fees for all formats (Test, ODI, T20).
Other Tier Contracts: Lower-tier contracts can pay around £250,000 to £350,000 per year. These players are often important but may not be involved in all formats, or they may be up-and-coming players.

The exact figures vary and are not always publicly disclosed, but these ranges give a general idea of what central contract players might expect.

2. Match Fees:

In addition to the central contracts, England cricketers earn match fees for every game they play. The ECB pays a specific amount per match, which can differ for each format:

Test Matches: Players are typically paid around £15,000 to £20,000 per Test match. This fee can vary based on the importance of the series.
ODIs & T20s: For limited-overs formats, cricketers earn £5,000 to £10,000 per match.

3. Incentives and Performance Bonuses:

Cricketers can also earn performance-based bonuses. These bonuses are often tied to key milestones, such as:

Match victories.
Series wins (e.g., winning an Ashes series).
Individual achievements, such as a century or five-wicket haul in a Test match.

The amount varies but can be substantial, especially for major series like the Ashes or ICC tournaments.

4. Sponsorships & Endorsements:

In addition to salary and match fees, England cricketers can earn significant money through sponsorships and endorsements. Top players like Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Jos Buttler have high-profile deals with major brands such as Adidas, New Balance, Puma, and Vodafone. These deals can add hundreds of thousands of pounds to their earnings, sometimes even surpassing their official salaries.

5. The Hundred and T20 Leagues:

England players also participate in The Hundred (a professional T20 league in England) and various domestic T20 leagues, such as the Big Bash in Australia or the Indian Premier League (IPL). Players participating in The Hundred can earn substantial sums:

The Hundred: In the first season (2021), England’s top players earned £125,000 for being part of the tournament, and this fee can rise based on the player’s popularity and the team they represent.
IPL & Other T20 Leagues: Some England cricketers participate in high-paying leagues like the IPL, where players can earn millions of pounds in salaries. For example, Ben Stokes has earned around £1.7 million for his IPL contract.

6. Retirement Benefits:

The ECB also offers pension plans and retirement benefits for players, ensuring a degree of financial security after their playing careers end.

7. Women Cricketers:

The pay for England Women’s cricketers has also seen significant improvements in recent years, largely due to the increasing popularity of women’s cricket. Women cricketers receive central contracts as well, though they tend to be lower than those of their male counterparts:

Top Female Cricketers (like Heather Knight and Nat Sciver): Can earn anywhere from £50,000 to £100,000 through central contracts, match fees, and sponsorships.
Match Fees: Women cricketers generally receive £2,000 to £3,000 per match for ODIs and T20s.

England cricketers enjoy a lucrative career, particularly those who have secured central contracts and endorsements. Top players can earn between £700,000 to £1 million annually from central contracts alone, with additional earnings through match fees, performance bonuses, and sponsorship deals. This financial structure makes international cricket a highly rewarding profession in England, with additional opportunities through participation in domestic leagues and T20 competitions.

England Cricket Players Salary In Test

England cricketers’ salaries vary based on performance, experience, and central contracts. Top players like Ben Stokes and Joe Root earn €700,000 annually under ECB Test contracts, with €165,400 paid per Test match. Contracts are categorized into one-, two-, or three-year terms, helping manage workloads. Players’ annual earnings depend on the number of matches played for the national team each year. The system ensures consistent rewards for performance while providing stability and recognition for England’s international cricket players in all formats.