Beth Mooney, the accomplished Australian opening batter, is gearing up for her return to The Hundred, representing Manchester Originals this season. Amidst her anticipation for the tournament, Mooney has reiterated the pressing need for gender pay equality in cricket, a topic she feels strongly about.
Mooney, who secured a £50,000 deal with Manchester Originals, acknowledges the progress made but emphasizes that there is still a significant difference in pay between men’s and women’s cricket. Reflecting on the broader financial landscape of the sport, Mooney noted, “It’s not equal billing, because the men get paid more.” This sentiment highlights the persistent challenge faced by female cricketers worldwide, despite their growing fame and contributions to the game.
She added, “But yeah, in terms of the exposure, and the fan base, and the quality of the tournament, it’s certainly up there with one of the best going around. It’s doing a great job with getting more opportunities for women in this country to play cricket but, as with any women’s sport, we’re not quite there with equal billing.”
The issue of pay equity has been a recurrent theme in women’s cricket, especially as players like Mooney continue to excel on the global stage. Her comments come at a crucial stage as women’s cricket struggles for greater recognition and investment. Mooney stressed the importance of pushing boundaries and advocating for equal opportunities across all cricketing platforms, from international competitions to franchise tournaments like The Hundred.
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In addition to her advocacy for pay equality, Mooney expressed optimism about the evolving competitiveness in women’s cricket. “I don’t know if there’s really such thing as a gap, to be honest. Every team in the world has been getting better, just like we have,” she remarked, reflecting on the intense rivalry seen in recent tournaments such as the Women’s Ashes.
She further added, “I think every team in the world has been getting better, just like we have. We play a lot more cricket now, so there’s always going to be times where different teams beat each other.”
Looking ahead to her role with Manchester Originals, Mooney remains focused on contributing to her team’s success on the field. Her previous stint in The Hundred saw her achieve milestones, including a stellar innings of 97 not out.
Despite the high expectations surrounding her return, Mooney maintains a grounded perspective, emphasizing that personal success is measured beyond mere statistics. “Cricket is a fickle game,” she acknowledged, “and sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t.”