Superstar Ellyse Perry has hailed the leadership of Cricket Australia in improving conditions for female cricketers, which are the envy of those from other nations.
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While the ICC has increased its World Cup prize pool for the 2020 women's World Cup by 320 per cent from the 2018 tournament, Women Sport Australia said it was still less than half of the men's event later in the year.
CA on Tuesday announced it would top up the prize money for Australia in the women's World Cup, to ensure parity with the men.
That might cost CA up to $885,000 should the Australian women win the tournament.
"I think that shows the leadership of Cricket Australia in terms of wanting to grow women's cricket - not just in this country, but around the world globally," allrounder Perry said on Thursday.
"For them to support us in the manner that they have, just with that prize money announcement, but I think in the last couple of years, in terms of potentially turning the game fully professional, not just for international players, but for domestic players, is brilliant.
"I think that's the goal. We want competitions like the (women's) T20 World Cup, like the WBBL, to be really viable commercial products for Cricket Australia or the ICC.
"I guess that means that we are vital cogs in that and are remunerated as such."
CA last week also launched a parental leave policy to support professional cricketers through pregnancy, adoption, their return to play and parental responsibilities.
The policies introduced by CA haven't gone unnoticed by the overseas' stars playing in the WBBL, which starts on Friday with a Sydney derby between the Sixers and Thunder.
"I feel a bit jealous, really," quipped Thunder's New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Rachel Priest when asked about CA's investment in women's cricket.
"They are really, really lucky over here. Their investment in this country is absolutely phenomenal.
"You can see by the performances of their top team that they are streets ahead of anyone else at the moment.
"I think it's for countries like New Zealand and India and England to catch up a little bit with and probably take a little bit of a a leaf out of their book as well."
Australian Associated Press
