Ashes to kick off England’s challenging World Test Championship campaign
England will begin their World Test Championship participation with the 2019 Ashes series against Australia as outlined in the ICC’s 2018-2023 Future Tours Programme.
The WTC for England will be comprised of six Test series including a tough assignment in India in early 2021 the year the inaugural tournament culminates at Lord’s.
A one-off Test against Ireland will be England’s first long format assignment after the 2019 World Cup but that match will not form part of the WTC.
A two-Test series in New Zealand in November 2019 will also not form part of the WTC but the four Test series in South Africa that straddles the new year could be critical in determining who makes it to the final in 2021.
For England the focus will then shift to another dreaded visit to the subcontinent where they will be eager to do well against Sri Lanka in March 2020.
ALSO READ: Cricket South Africa welcome 2018-23 Future Tours Programme
The 2020 English home summer will see three Tests against the West Indies and Pakistan respectively which will fall under the WTC and limited overs visits from Australia, Ireland and India.
ALSO READ: Black Caps skipper pleased with Future Tours Programme balance
The latter quarter of 2020 will be devoted to Twenty20 Internationals as nations prepare for the World T20 in October and November.
2021 gets underway with that examination in India by which time England should know if they are in with a shout of being involved in the WTC final later that year.
Full details on the 2018-2023 FTP are available here.
Latest
-
NewsBen Stokes undergoes more finger surgery to leave Ashes participation in doubt
Stokes has been on a sabbatical since the end of July.
-
NewsProductive conversations take place as Ashes resolution moves closer
The marquee series between cricket’s oldest rivals is scheduled to begin in Brisbane on December 8.
-
NewsMichael Holding calls on people to ‘stop being silent’ and ’embarrass racists’
The 67-year-old feels everyone can play their part by adopting an “anti-racist” mindset.
-
NewsAustralia’s Aaron Finch indicates Ashes series resolution is close
The one-day captain said he had sympathy for England’s players.
-
NewsGeorge Dockrell relishing batting up the order for Ireland
Dublin-born Dockrell is eyeing boundaries, not wickets, at the Twenty20 World Cup.
-
NewsEngland under fire from cricketing greats Ian Botham and Michael Holding
Botham suggested some players “don’t fancy” this winter’s Ashes while Holding accused the ECB of “Western arrogance” over the cancelled Pakistan tour.
-
NewsMichael Holding accuses ECB of ‘Western arrogance’ over cancelled Pakistan tour
The England and Wales Cricket Board announced the scheduled trip had been called off because of concerns over “mental and physical well-being”.
-
NewsIan Botham questions England’s desire to play ‘ultimate test’ in Australia
The five-Test Ashes series is in doubt due to strict coronavirus restrictions.
-
NewsHarry Brook wraps up prestigious end-of-season awards double
And Alice Capsey also underlines her status as a breakthrough star of 2021.
-
NewsSam Curran ruled out of England’s T20 World Cup squad due to back injury
The all-rounder has been replaced by brother Tom with their Surrey team-mate Reece Topley added as a travelling reserve.