The grossly underpaid first-class players in regional cricket are to receive an increase of more than 300 per cent in match fees, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) indicated yesterday in a statement to the media.

After what it described as a compromise agreement with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA), the pay is expected to increase from the trifling US$300 for a four-day match that has existed for a decade, to between US$1,400 and US$1,500.

The rise for regional players follows negotiations on a wide range of issues between the WICB and the WIPA, including a one-day strike by the players on the opening day of sixth round matches during the recently concluded regional season.

The WICB revealed that the agreement was for a flat match fee for players, rather than a more comprehensive package that it had put forward to the WIPA and itemized in a statement on March 27.

Although it provided no monetary details, it noted that it had offered to the WIPA “a revised package which included new match fees of up to 300 per cent on a tiered basis according to seniority, provident fund provisions and retainer contracts”.

“A compromise was reached on a proposal from the WIPA that only a flat fee will be paid to players,” it added.
In the statement, the WICB also highlighted what it termed its offer of “a significantly higher payment to players” for the forthcoming tour of England “over and above which would normally have been paid on such a tour”.

Indicating that tricky negotiations still lie ahead, the WICB said it was “pleased” that the WIPA has agreed to discuss and finalize a framework for payment of players fees

It hoped that the framework would secure a fixed percentage of WICB earnings for players “thereby avoiding tour negotiations and confrontation” and looked forward to agreement with the WIPA before the start of its financial year in October.