STARS IGNITE BOX OFFICE

WITH the ink barely dried on their record contract deals, Australia’s women’s cricketers have finally been given the respect they deserve at the box office.

For the first time in history, tickets are being sold to stand- alone matches in a move which properly showcases the worth of the women’s game in the dawn of their suddenly professional era.

Despite Ellyse Perry being one of the best sportspeople in the country, never before have Australians had to pay to watch her talents.

But yesterday tickets went on sale for the women’s Ashes series starting in October, correct recognition at last for the quality of cricket the Southern Stars have consistently produced over many years.

Tickets are reasonably priced at $ 10 for adults, $ 5 concession and free entry for kids — with two bucks from every seat sold going to charity — but it’s the principle of no longer undervaluing women’s cricket which is the important message.

The Southern Stars will play three ODIs, three Twenty20s as well as one historic daynight Test at North Sydney Oval against England, with 1300 tickets already sold.

Australian star Alex Blackwell believes paying for tickets will actually prompt more fans to put bums on seats.

“We’ve seen the WBBL be a huge success and everyone wants to watch it, especially on their TVs,” Blackwell said.

“( Selling tickets) I think makes people go out and actually lock it into their calendar and that’s a really good thing. It actually brings more people in.”