Imagine being the boss lady of England’s cricket squad, smashing it on the field, only to see the pay gap between you and the guys grow wider than a cricket pitch. That’s the vibe Heather Knight, England’s captain, is throwing down about The Hundred in 2025. The top men’s players are now pocketing £200,000, while the women’s top earners get £65,000—a gap that’s ballooned from £75,000 to £135,000 in a year. “It looks bad,” Knight said on March 5, 2025, and she’s not wrong. But is this just cricket being cricket, or a sign of deeper mess-ups? Let’s unpack this pay disparity drama and see why it’s got everyone buzzing—and not in a good way.
The Main Scoop: Breaking Down The Hundred’s Pay Gap Chaos
Knight’s not here for the excuses, and neither are we. Here’s the tea on why this gap’s got cricket fans and players raising eyebrows.
1. The Numbers Slap: £135K and Counting
The Hundred’s salary shake-up for 2025 is wild. Men’s top-tier pay jumped 60% from £125,000 to £200,000, while women’s rose 30% from £50,000 to £65,000. Across all bands, it’s a 25% bump, but that top-end gap? Oof, £135,000 now vs. £75,000 in 2024. Even at the bottom, men get £31,000 while women snag £10,000. Knight’s vibe? “The overall pot’s up for women, which is dope, but that top disparity growing? Not cute.” She’s right—it’s a glow-up for some, but a glaring “yikes” for equality.
- Quick Stat: The gap widened by £60,000 at the top in one year. Progress? More like a plot twist.
2. Why It Stings: Women’s Hundred Outshines the Men
Here’s the kicker: the women’s Hundred in 2024 was straight fire—competitive matches, big names like Nat Sciver-Brunt, and London Spirit snagging the title. The men’s? Kinda meh—lopsided games and missing stars who chased bigger bucks elsewhere. “The women’s comp was the real MVP,” Knight hinted, and yet the pay gap’s growing? Sarcasm alert: guess serving up better cricket doesn’t pay the bills like it should. Fans on forums are raging—why reward the underdog when the women’s game is carrying the vibe?
3. ECB’s Excuse: Market Vibes or Cop-Out?
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is like, “Chill, it’s market dynamics.” CEO Richard Gould told the BBC, “We can’t force parity yet—men’s cricket pulls more cash.” Fair, but the 2023 Equity in Cricket report literally said salaries should match by 2025. Instead, the gap’s bigger. Knight’s not buying it: “We want progress toward parity, not this.” Women’s salaries rose 30%, sure, but men’s 60% leap feels like a flex when the women’s game is gaining traction faster—attendance up 20% in 2024.
- Real Talk: Market excuse holds if you ignore the women’s Hundred outrating the men’s on buzz alone.
4. Players Speak: Knight’s Not Alone
Knight’s leading the charge, but she’s got backup. New PCA chair Oliver Hannon-Dalby chimed in: “The gap got bigger despite ECB promises—fixing that’s on my list.” Players like Sophia Dunkley, who’s killing it for Welsh Fire, deserve more than £65,000 when dudes like Ben Stokes rake in triple. “It’s not ideal,” Knight said, keeping it classy but firm. The vibe’s clear: if cricket’s cashing in, why’s it still short-changing the women who bring the heat?
The Wrap: Pay Gap’s a Bad Look, Period
Heather Knight’s calling it like it is—The Hundred’s gender pay gap “looks bad,” and the stats back her up. Men’s top salaries soaring while women’s lag, even as the women’s game steals the show, feels like a slap in the face. The ECB’s “market dynamics” line ain’t cutting it when equity was the goal. With Knight and co. pushing for parity, this ain’t just about cash—it’s about respect. Cricket’s growing, but this gap’s a buzzkill. Time to level up, not just talk about it.
Wanna weigh in? Catch The Hundred this summer and see who’s really bringing it—then tell your crew what’s up.
Bonus: How to Get the Vibe of This Drama
Curious about the fuss? Here’s your quick hit list:
- Watch It: Stream The Hundred—women’s games are where it’s at.
- Stat Check: Men’s £200K vs. women’s £65K—feel the sting.
- Spread It: Tell your mates—parity’s the goal, not this mess.
FAQ: Your Qs, My As
Q: Why’s the gap bigger now?
A: Men’s top pay spiked 60%, women’s 30%—math’s not mathing for equality.
Q: Is women’s Hundred really better?
A: 2024 says yes—tighter games, bigger vibes. Men’s felt like a snooze.
Q: Will it change soon?
A: If Knight and Hannon-Dalby keep the heat on, maybe—ECB’s gotta step up.
