News

County journeymen reap the rewards

Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opener, has revealed that the average salary for a county player is around £40,000

Cricinfo staff
30-Jul-2006
Steve James, the former Glamorgan and England opener, has revealed that the average salary for a county player is around £40,000. Surrey top the pay league, with their players earning an average salary of £60,000, and that excludes the bumper earnings of their overseas recruits. Yorkshire are at the bottom of the pay league, with an average salary of £30,000.
Writing in The Sunday Telegraph, James's article has gone a long way to dispelling the belief that county cricketers are sports paupers. While they still might to be able to hold a candle to any footballers in the Premier League, their pay is not as bad as it once was.
James added there was anecdotal evidence that at least three English-qualified individuals - and the indications are that they are senior players at Surrey, Sussex and Worcestershire - are on more than £100,000 per annum. "These figures might even be on the low side when one factors in that it is perfectly legitimate - and usual - these days to structure players' packages into playing and non-playing services, with image rights payments not going through the payroll."
It also needs to be factored in that most players benefit from sponsored cars and kit, and can also can often get other paid work during the seven months that English cricket is in hibernation. They also have good pension arrangements in place through the Professional Cricketers' Association.
For the lucky few who make it into the England camp, the rewards are even greater. A more senior centrally-contracted England player could bring in £300-400,000 a year. But against this, the shortness of the career and the vagaries of form also have to be considered.