Sara Hungerford will line up for the Meteors this weekend. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

ACT Meteors coach Andrew Dawson hopes the introduction of WNCL and Twenty20 match payments helps his squad rise to a new level this season as it targets a home grand final berth.

The Meteors will start their pre-season campaign when they play the NSW Breakers, South Australia Scorpions and Tasmania Roar at Blacktown this weekend.

Meteors players will earn match payments for the first time this season, boosting their earning potential and raising the standard within the squad.

Cricket Australia introduced a pay structure with the country's top athletes capable of earning up to $80,000 per season.

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The Meteors payments will be far less about $200 per 50 over match, $150 for a Twenty20 and $75 for each night away from home but Dawson said the team's training program has already stepped up in intensity.

"Everyone is going harder. There are overseas players coming in as well, so everyone is trying to ramp it up," Dawson said.

"There's definitely accountability. The girls put in so much time and effort and they've done it without getting paid. The money they receive now covers expenses, but it is a nice top-up. It's a starting point."

The ACT Comets will also play their first pre-season matches as they attempt to win selection for World Cup trial matches against Afghanistan and Ireland later this month.

The rest is here:

Comets, Meteors payments will help send teams into orbit