Twenty20 schedule is set for further growth

England, and their rivals, may soon be able to play up to 15 Twenty20 internationals in the year preceding a World Twenty20 tournament.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2012, 08:08 BST

World champions England will take part in just seven matches this year, before they defend their title in Sri Lanka in September.

They have already won a three-match series against Pakistan, and next summer will play a one-off Twenty20 against West Indies followed by three against South Africa shortly before they set off for Colombo.

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But after a two-day meeting of the International Cricket Council’s chief executives’ committee in Dubai, a recommendation is to be made to the full board that an increase in fixtures is permitted in any year when an ICC World Twenty20 is scheduled.

The number of teams participating in the tournament is due to rise from 12 to 16 starting from the 2014 edition in Bangladesh.

New Zealand’s Chris Martin claimed three wickets after tea to see South Africa 191-7 at stumps after a rain-curtailed opening day of the first Test in Dunedin.

Swapnil Patil (55 no) led United Arab Emirates to a four-wicket win over Scotland (167 all out) in the ICC World Cricket League match in Sharjah.

Related topics:EnglandSouth AfricaSri Lanka