Amelia Kerr, a New Zealand all-rounder, believes that the New Zealand Cricket (NZC)’s new agreement will revolutionize the sport for female athletes. Under the terms of a five-year master agreement between NZC, the country’s six main cricket associations, and the NZC Players Association, women cricketers will earn the same match fees as their male counterparts.
Now that full-time professionals are available, the 22-year-old believes that NZC will “invest more” in the crucial women’s game. She also stated that they desire performance and that daily training is the best method to improve. She further explained that having full-time professional athletes permits them to work harder on their skill.
“For some time now, half of the team has been comprised of full-time professionals, while the other half juggles cricket and employment. To have everyone as full-time professionals enables us to invest more in our cricket, which is vital,” Kerr said during the New Zealanders’ pre-Sri Lanka tour program.
“We want to execute, and the only way to improve is by training every day and focusing on that. It is beneficial to maintain a balance outside of it. Kerr concluded, “Having full-time professional athletes allows us to work harder, and that’s our job—we show up every day and that’s what we’re supposed to do.”
Amelia Kerr won the inaugural Women’s Premier League with the Mumbai Indians.
Amelia Kerr is returning after a two-month hiatus following the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL), in which she played an integral role for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai Indians (MI). She tied for third with 15 wickets in the inaugural competition. Moreover, Kerr was a crucial middle-order hitter for the WPL 2023 champions.
Prior to that, Amelia Kerr won a bronze medal with New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in August 2022. The New Zealander subsequently participated in the Hundred and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Earlier in 2023, the 22-year-old toured the West Indies, played Bangladesh at home, and then participated in the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.