England have removed a women’s Test match from their upcoming tour of the West Indies this spring to prioritize red-ball preparations for the home Ashes in 2027. Charlotte Edwards’ squad was originally scheduled to play all three formats in the Caribbean during April, but the series will now feature only three one-day internationals and three T20 internationals.
Tour Schedule Adjustments
According to an ECB statement, there was insufficient time to fit in the Test match because the tour starts after the opening round of Metro Bank One Day Cup matches, which will involve all England players. Exact dates for the Caribbean fixtures will be announced by Cricket West Indies later. The upcoming home women’s summer begins with a four-day Test at Headingley from June 24 to 27, followed by three T20s and three ODIs in July.
Home Red-Ball Preparation Plans
England, who last won a home women’s Test in 2005 and have not claimed a multi-format Ashes series victory since 2014, will travel to India in January for a 10-day red-ball training camp. The home summer schedule includes a three-day fixture against Australia A before the Ashes Test in Leeds, alongside three intra-squad best-versus-best matches to foster competition for squad places.
ECB chief executive Richard Gould stated: “We are all hugely excited by the prospect of England Women taking on Australia Women in their Ashes Test at Headingley.” Gould added that the fixture is worth four points in the multi-format series, making proper preparation crucial.
Gould stated: “Best versus best in English conditions provides a valuable opportunity for the team.” He noted that the plan helps assess squad depth, creates opportunities for more players, and secures competitive multi-day fixtures over an extended period for the wider group, while thanking Cricket West Indies for constructive talks regarding the Caribbean tour.
