Stafanie Taylor: "I believe we are stepping in the right direction. It's good that the retainers and match fees have been increased and the girls love it" © IDI/Getty Images

West Indies Women cricketers on retainer contracts with the WICB are set to receive enhanced compensation packages from October 1, including increases in annual retainer fees, sponsorship payments, match fees and captains' allowances. The number of women on retainer contracts will also be increased to 15, from the current 11. The estimated increase will cost the WICB just under US$600,000 for the upcoming year.

Captain Stafanie Taylor, who led their victorious World T20 campaign earlier this year, welcomed the move.

"I believe we are stepping in the right direction. England and Australia are the two top teams where women's cricket is concerned and I think we can mirror what they are doing and get on their level," Taylor said. "It's good that the retainers and match fees have been increased and the girls love it. We hope that, as time goes by, more things will be improved."

Former captain Merissa Aguilleira also lauded the development. Noting the team's hard work and success, Aguilleira added that "an increase like this will only encourage [the team] to work harder and continue representing the people of the Caribbean to the best of [their] abilities."

The new packages, which emerged from negotiations between the WICB and the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), were hailed by both parties. WICB CEO Michael Muirhead said that the packages would "serve as an additional incentive for the current set of women" and also "serve as a drawing card to more women to be attracted to cricket". WIPA president and CEO Wavell Hinds said the enhanced packages were "well deserved" given the women's teams' performances over the past decade.

West Indies Women's next international assignment is a home five-match ODI series against England in October. The last three ODIs of the series will count towards Women's Championship points, offering the sides the chance to seal their spot in next year's World Cup in England. West Indies are currently second in the Women's Championship, behind Australia.

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