Cane Train’s new arrival
NEW Hurricane Nicola Carey is keen to make a big impression when the new Women’s Big Bash season starts next week.
The Canes play their first game on Saturday October 19 against the Melbourne Stars in St Kilda. It will be the first ever standalone women’s Big Bash season.
The eight clubs were represented at the season launch yesterday in Brisbane, with Carey doing the duties for her new side. Having played for Australia in the recent home series against Sri Lanka, Carey is yet to join the Hurricanes squad, but the all-rounder is eager to meet her new teammates.
AFTER three years of consultation with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, Cricket Australia will today announce a Parental Leave Policy that hopefully makes it a more even playing field for men and women.
In 2016 the game was caught in an embarrassing controversy after it was revealed its contracts demanded female athletes disclose if they are pregnant when signing contracts.
The story sparked an investigation by the Fair Work Ombudsman and a concerted effort from both sides of the industrial dispute to ensure a better deal for women. The new policy allows women who get pregnant to transfer to a non-playing role before and after the birth, includes 12 months’ paid leave and guarantees the player an extension of their deal in the next contract period.
There is three weeks’ paid leave for partners when a child is born or adopted, plus travel support for the primary carer including flights, accommodation and expenses until the child is four.
Clea Smith of the Australian Cricketers’ Association said the changes would extend careers and Cricket Australia boasted that the local game is leading the way for female cricketers.
The women players themselves admit it is a real game changer.
“The first baby that does come along will have 10 pretty excited aunts,” Elyse Villani said. “The child won’t be short of love, that’s for sure. I always thought I would start a family after playing but there are obviously more options now. I think there will be a real shift in the next few years.”
Rachael Haynes, fresh from her maiden century in the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka, said: “The most positive thing about it is the co-operation between the ACA and CA.
“They have been working on it for a few years now and they have got it to a place where it not only provides support to the player and opportunity to make life decisions around having a family and not have to sacrifice your career.”