England set to face Windies in Manchester and Southampton Test series

ENGLAND HAVE announced the schedule for next month’s proposed three-match Test series against the West Indies.

The fixtures are due to take place behind closed doors at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton and at Old Trafford.

The series, subject to final UK government approval, will see the first Test at the Ageas Bowl from July 8-12. The second Test (July 16-20) and the third Test (July 24-28) will be held at Old Trafford, with both venues primarily chosen due to their on-site hotels.

The West Indies squad is set to arrive on Tuesday and travel to Old Trafford for quarantining/training. They will remain there for three weeks before heading to Southampton.

Steve Elworthy, director of events for the England and Wales Cricket Board, who is leading on England’s bio-secure operational plans, said: “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 cooperation and dedication in making this tour a reality, and we all look forward to the prospect of cricket returning in the coming weeks.”

Both grounds must adhere to strict guidelines that include designated isolation areas for anyone presenting symptoms as well as medical screening/testing sites.

The ECB said that four venues had expressed an interest in staging the bio-secure fixtures, with Edgbaston chosen as a contingency venue.

The original series had been due to start this week and feature Tests at The Oval, Edgbaston and Lord’s.

Discussions are continuing over England’s planned fixtures against Pakistan, Ireland and Australia later in the summer.

Ian Watmore, former chief executive of the Football Association, has been ratified as the new ECB chairman in succession to Colin Graves.

Watmore’s appointment was rubber-stamped at the ECB’s virtual AGM on Tuesday, which reported record turnover of £228m for 2019 and a profit of £5.7m.

Watmore will replace the former Yorkshire supremo on September 1.

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