England vs West Indies: ECB announces schedule and venues for 3-match Test series

International cricket is set to resume services with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announcing the schedule of three-match Test series against West Indies, subject to UK government clearance to return behind closed doors.

Ageas Bowl will host the first Test between England and West Indies with Emirates Old Trafford set to stage the second and third Test of the series. Edgbaston has been selected as a contingency and training venue. 

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England vs West Indies, Test series - Full schedule

• 1st Test v West Indies: 8-12 July at Ageas Bowl

• 2nd Test v West Indies: 16-20 July at Emirates Old Trafford

• 3rd Test v West Indies: 24-28 July at Emirates Old Trafford

The West Indies squad will arrive in the UK on June 9 and travel to Emirates Old Trafford for quarantining and training purposes. This will be the Windies’ base for a three-week period before moving to the Ageas Bowl for the commencement of the first Test.

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A decision on the scheduled matches for England Men and Women teams this summer will be decided on a later date.

As many as four venues submitted an interest in staging matches with the final recommendations for the use of Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford later ratified by the ECB. 

Venues had to demonstrate key principles to create a bio-secure environment. The criteria comprised of: 

•  Biosecurity 

-  Venue perimeter, access and access control 

-  Hotel accommodation (onsite or nearby) 

•  Medical screening/testing provision 

-  Designated areas for isolation of anyone presenting symptoms. 

-  Car parking requirements (approx. 200) 

-  Medical Screening and Testing sites (approx. 1500 m2) 

•  Footprint to enable social distancing 

-  Extendable Players and Match Official areas 

-  Extendable space for broadcast compounds, studios and written media. 

•  Venue/Cricket operations

-  The number and suitability of TV pitches 

-  Provision for warm-up matches 

-  Indoor and outdoor practice facilities 
The Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford will receive an administration fee for hosting the Test series and all additional cost will be met by the ECB.

The Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford will receive an administration fee for staging the Test series and all additional central costs will be met by the ECB.

ECB Director of Events, Steve Elworthy - who is leading on English cricket’s bio-secure operational plans - added:

“Our main objective is to deliver a safe environment for all stakeholders including players, match officials, operational staff, essential venue staff, broadcasters and media.

“We are in daily dialogue with Government and our medical team, who have been incredibly supportive during this period. These are our proposed dates and they remain subject to UK Government approval.

“We would like to thank Cricket West Indies for their co-operation and dedication in making this tour a reality, and we all look forward to the prospect of cricket returning in the coming weeks.”