Not only in the standard but there is also a huge pay disparity in the game as a detailed study by ESPNcricinfo has revealed Australia skipper Steve Smith earns a salary which is 20 times more than what his Zimbabwe counterpart Graeme Cremer pockets. Cremer is the lowest-earning international cricket captain at the moment.
According to the news outlet, Smith is the highest-earning captain in international cricket in 2017 ahead of the likes of Virat Kohli, Joe Root and will earn a handsome amount of US$1.469 million this year. On the other hand, Kohli, who is arguably the most marketable cricketer in the world at the moment, will take home approximately US$1 million as salary while England’s Joe Root will pocket US$1.38 million. Cremer, however, is way behind the other captains and will earn only $86,000 in 2017.
Meanwhile, the figures do not include a player’s receiving from the T20 leagues, domestic cricket or various endorsements. And in case, all the sources are considered, Kohli is the wealthiest cricketer at the moment with his earnings from the BCCI, brand endorsements and IPL fees.
“The figures are based on international cricket, and do not take into account player earnings from T20 leagues, other domestic engagements or endorsements,” the report stated.
The report also cleared the BCCI’s tarnished image which they have earned for reportedly not paying their Test players well.
“At $23,380 per game, India’s Test cricketers are the most well-rewarded across the world, earning almost twice what an Australian cricketer gets paid for a home Test (Australia has different fees for home and away Tests),” the report stated.
Coaches earning handsome salaries:
As far as the international coaches are concerned, some of them are surprisingly drawing more salaries than the top players in the country. India head coach Ravi Shastri is the highest-paid coach, taking home $1.17 million per year.
The report gave a subtle hint that paying the head coach much more than the top players seemed to be a South Asian trend and cited Bangladesh head coach’s example to back the claim.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board pay Chandika Hathurasingha five times the basic salary of their top player. Similarly, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur is paid three times as much as a top category Pakistan player.”
On the other hand, Australia and England pay their coach around half of what their top player earns as basic salaries.