England Women scrap West Indies Test to prioritise preparations for 2027 Women's Ashes
toi
newspoint|12-11-2026
England Women have made a significant change to their international schedule ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 Women's Ashes , dropping the planned Test match against the West Indies in April to create additional preparation time for their red-ball showdown with Australia at Headingley.
The England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) confirmed on Wednesday that the Caribbean tour will now feature only three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, with the originally scheduled Test removed from the itinerary.
The decision comes as England look to strengthen their red-ball preparations ahead of the Women's Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on June 24, 2027. The ECB has instead arranged four multi-day matches in home conditions to provide players with valuable experience in the longer format.
England Women make changes to West Indies tour schedule
England's tour of the Caribbean will take place in April, shortly after the start of the domestic season. However, the revised schedule will no longer include the Test match that was initially part of the tour. The ECB confirmed that Cricket West Indies (CWI) agreed to the change following discussions between the two boards. The dates and venues for the three ODIs and three T20Is will be announced by CWI in due course.
England's last Test appearance came against India at Lord's, where they suffered a heavy 270-run defeat. ECB chief executive Richard Gould thanked Cricket West Indies for accommodating the request.
"We appreciate the constructive conversations with Cricket West Indies that have enabled us to look forward to an exciting tour of the Caribbean before focusing our attention back on our home summer," Gould said in a statement.
The Caribbean tour will begin after the opening round of the domestic One-Day Cup, allowing England players to participate in the competition before departing for the West Indies.
England plan four red-ball matches ahead of Women's Ashes
With the West Indies Test removed from the schedule, England will focus on an extensive red-ball preparation programme ahead of the Ashes. The team will play three intra-squad matches featuring the country's leading players, followed by a three-day warm-up fixture against Australia A shortly before the Ashes Test begins at Headingley.
The ECB believes the additional matches in English conditions will help players adjust to the demands of Test cricket while giving the coaching staff an opportunity to assess potential selections.
At least two of the intra-squad fixtures will involve a wider group of players, allowing selectors to evaluate the depth of England's red-ball talent before finalising the Ashes squad.
England to hold 10-day red-ball training camp in Bengaluru
England's Ashes preparations will begin well before the home summer, with the red-ball squad scheduled to attend a 10-day training camp in Bengaluru in January. The camp will take place ahead of the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Vadodara and Mumbai from February 14 to 28.
The England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) confirmed on Wednesday that the Caribbean tour will now feature only three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, with the originally scheduled Test removed from the itinerary.
The decision comes as England look to strengthen their red-ball preparations ahead of the Women's Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on June 24, 2027. The ECB has instead arranged four multi-day matches in home conditions to provide players with valuable experience in the longer format.
England Women make changes to West Indies tour schedule
England's tour of the Caribbean will take place in April, shortly after the start of the domestic season. However, the revised schedule will no longer include the Test match that was initially part of the tour. The ECB confirmed that Cricket West Indies (CWI) agreed to the change following discussions between the two boards. The dates and venues for the three ODIs and three T20Is will be announced by CWI in due course.
England's last Test appearance came against India at Lord's, where they suffered a heavy 270-run defeat. ECB chief executive Richard Gould thanked Cricket West Indies for accommodating the request.
"We appreciate the constructive conversations with Cricket West Indies that have enabled us to look forward to an exciting tour of the Caribbean before focusing our attention back on our home summer," Gould said in a statement.
The Caribbean tour will begin after the opening round of the domestic One-Day Cup, allowing England players to participate in the competition before departing for the West Indies.
England plan four red-ball matches ahead of Women's Ashes
With the West Indies Test removed from the schedule, England will focus on an extensive red-ball preparation programme ahead of the Ashes. The team will play three intra-squad matches featuring the country's leading players, followed by a three-day warm-up fixture against Australia A shortly before the Ashes Test begins at Headingley.
The ECB believes the additional matches in English conditions will help players adjust to the demands of Test cricket while giving the coaching staff an opportunity to assess potential selections.
At least two of the intra-squad fixtures will involve a wider group of players, allowing selectors to evaluate the depth of England's red-ball talent before finalising the Ashes squad.
England to hold 10-day red-ball training camp in Bengaluru
England's Ashes preparations will begin well before the home summer, with the red-ball squad scheduled to attend a 10-day training camp in Bengaluru in January. The camp will take place ahead of the inaugural ICC Women's Champions Trophy, which is scheduled to be held in Vadodara and Mumbai from February 14 to 28.
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