2 Feb 2018

Dream becomes a reality for Kiwi cricketers

10:22 am on 2 February 2018

Sophie Devine is enjoying the ride.

A lot has changed since the 28-year-old cricketer first debuted for the White Ferns in 2006.

Tonight, she plays for a place in the grand-final of one of Australia's hottest sports leagues, along with White Ferns captain Suzie Bates.

Bates also skippers the Adelaide Strikers in the Women's Big Bash League and is the sixth top scorer in the competition.

The Strikers meet the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL semi-final, a team which includes former White Fern Sara McGlashan.

With a record eight New Zealanders playing in the WBBL this year, New Zealand easily has the largest contingent of imports.

Sophie Devine is one of New Zealand players in the WBBL.

Sophie Devine is one of New Zealand players in the WBBL. Photo: Photosport

The WBBL was a ratings blockbuster when it was launched three years ago and Devine, who played in the inaugural season believes the interest is growing year on year.

"It's amazing how the product, I guess is what it is, just keeps growing. The crowds are getting bigger, now every game is live streamed, they've got more games on TV. Cricket Australia are putting a lot of money and effort into making sure that the women's game is seen," said Devine.

Cricket Australia has been shrewd about the way it has marketed the women's teams.

If you go to any of the franchise websites, the women's teams are given equal prominence to the men's.

Devine said being able to piggyback off the already established men's competition gave the women's BBL a good start.

"Cricket Australia levied off the back of the men's teams, which meant there was already a fan base there, already a bit of loyalty so that was a massive help in launching it.

"Also, when you get the best Australian players and you mix it in with the best of the rest of the world, the quality of the cricket has been outstanding and with more professionalism, players are just going to keep getting better."

Amy Satterthwaite, captained the Melbourne Renegades this year, just missing out on a finals berth.

Amy Satterthwaite.

Amy Satterthwaite. Photo: Photosport

The White Ferns all-rounder has had an incredible two years, last year named the ICC's women's one-day player of the year.

She's been involved in some of the more memorable moments in this summer's BBL - including hitting a sixth off a final ball to force a Super Over.

Satterthwaite said there was something exhilarating about playing in the BBL and believed the standard of the league was close to international level.

"You always want to be testing your skills against the best players in the world, to have the best players in the same competition from all around the world, it's a pretty amazing opportunity."

White Fern Lea Tahuhu, also played for the Renegades this year, and said the players were well looked after.

"The media coverage over here is really massive. And it's treated as one club two teams, so anything that the men do, the women get in on that as well so it's quite big."

This is the first summer that the 31-year old Satterthwaite had to miss most of the New Zealand domestic competition, which runs almost concurrently with the BBL.

She hopes it doesn't reach a point when the leagues start to encroach on international games but that's already happened to some of her teammates.

"The South African and Indian players had to go home and miss the last couple of rounds of the BBL because they've got a tour against each other. I hope that we can keep it that there's a really clear window and I'm sure the ICC would be keen to see that too."

Devine, who is also a former New Zealand hockey international, would like to see more New Zealand players break into the league.

"One of the scary things about coming over here you realise the depth of Australian cricket, and who's coming through whereas back home we don't have the same numbers. If we can expose more girls to playing at that next level then hopefully when they make that step up to the White Ferns, it's not going to be as bigger jump."

Earning power

Last year the pay pool for women's cricket in Australia went from $7 million to $55 million after Cricket Australia reached a landmark settlement with its players.

Their top internationals can now earn up around $AUD200,000.

Superstars such as Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry, who also have marketing contracts, are easily the highest paid athletes in Australian women's team sport.

The pay deal had a direct effect on Kiwi female cricketers in the Big Bash where it's understood top players can collect around NZ$60,000 for a couple of months work, though it still dwarfs in comparison to their male counterparts.

With her earnings improving significantly, Satterthwaite was able to become a full-time cricketer last year.

"Being able to play in these competitions around the world, the opportunity for earning an income is increasing a lot and allowing a lot more girls to stay in the game. Previously they would've probably retired and sometimes retire quite young."

Satterthwaite is one of a handful of New Zealand's top female cricketers who also play in England's Kia Super League, which was launched in 2016.

In 2016 New Zealand's women cricketers received a 100 percent pay rise under a new three-year deal with New Zealand Cricket.

White Ferns earn from $20,000 to $34,000 a year and leading players can earn more than $40,000 per annum, taking into account match fees.

While Devine is playing with and against Australian internationals who earn far more than her, she still feels lucky.

"The New Zealand contracts that are now on offer don't quite compare to what the Aussies and the English get but we know that we're a slightly different kettle of fish. The great thing about New Zealand Cricket is that they've given us the opportunity to come over here and earn that extra cash."

Lea Tahuhu said while her earnings had improved exponentially in the last couple of years, it wasn't just the pay increases making a difference.

"The amount of resources being put into the game, the coaches, the facilities and all that stuff has been amazing and has really allowed us to focus on cricket full time to be the best we can be."

While she was one of the fortunate ones able to make a living off cricket, it was not the case for most.

"For the girls back home in New Zealand, there's certainly not enough to live off at this stage, most do still have a part-time or full-time job, despite dedicating a lot of their time to the sport."

New audiences

It's not just in Australia where women's cricket is taking off.

Lord's - English cricket's most sacred site - was sold-out for the final of the Cricket World Cup last year. More than 180 million watched the tournament around the world, a 300 percent increase on 2013, confirming the ICCs belief in the potential for the growth of women's cricket.

In New Zealand, female cricketers grew by 11 percent in 2016/17 from the previous season. Early analysis from Wellington shows they are up 13 percent this summer and New Zealand Cricket is hoping that's reflected across the country.

It's due to appoint a National Female Participation manager shortly.

What is behind this new hunger for women's cricket?

"I just think because it's been seen, it's been put out there, the livestreaming's played a massive role in that," said Devine.

Satterthwaite also believes T20 cricket has helped to develop the skillsets of the players, which in turn is making the game more appealing.

"It's made women's cricket in general probably more explosive. Girls are having to bring more shots into their game and score at a faster rate, which I think has really helped 50-over cricket as well.

"We're never trying to be the same as the men in terms of power and that but certainly I think the women's game is just as entertaining and I think that's helping to gain new audiences."

Living the dream

For the two months she's there Devine is put up in an apartment just across from the Adelaide Oval.

"If you'd have asked me five years ago if something like this would exist I would've probably laughed, I couldn't imagine it. I feel really fortunate to be involved at this time."

She said the profile of female cricketers there had gone through the roof.

Australia international Ellyse Perry.

Australia international Ellyse Perry. Photo: Photosport

"Ellyse Perry I think is one of the most marketable sports people in Australia, they really push that here. Hopefully in New Zealand we can do something similar, you know Suzie Bates, a double International, she's been to an Olympic Games with basketball, you don't find many better athletes than her."

Devine has been approached by a lot of people who have never watched women's cricket until now, and are surprised at the standard of the game.

"The numbers that watched the World Cup last year was fantastic and even the crowds we got, it's all really exciting times for us."