Archive · 6 Oct 2026
ECB Open to Funding West Indies Test for Ashes Preparation
England’s women’s cricket team is scheduled to play a Test match against West Indies in the Caribbean in spring 2027.
A Test is a long format of cricket, and England wants to play one before facing Australia in the Ashes.
West Indies cricket has announced spending cuts, and a different women’s Test against Australia was cancelled in March.
England’s cricket board says it would consider helping with costs if needed.
Its chair hopes the match will happen and says there is no expectation that it will be cancelled.
The rest of the tour is also not currently under threat.
England is planning a red-ball training camp in India in January.
The teams may also play Test-style warm-up games before the Ashes.
The ECB says it would consider financial support for England’s scheduled women’s Test against West Indies in spring 2027.
The Test is part of a multi-format Caribbean tour that also includes three T20Is and three ODIs in April and May.
ECB chair Richard Thompson hopes the Test will go ahead and said there is no expectation it will be cancelled.
Cricket West Indies has announced cost-cutting measures, including reductions in player contracts; a women’s Test against Australia was cancelled in March.
England plans a 10-day red-ball training camp in India in January and may arrange Test-style warm-up matches before the 2027 Ashes.
- Who
- The England and Wales Cricket Board, England’s women’s team, and Cricket West Indies.
- What
- The ECB is open to considering financial support for England’s scheduled women’s Test against West Indies.
- When
- The Test is scheduled for spring 2027; England’s women’s Ashes begins with a Test in June 2027.
- Where
- The planned Test is in the Caribbean.
- Why
- England wants the match as red-ball preparation for the 2027 women’s Ashes against Australia.
Financial concerns
Case for holding the Test
Funding and feasibility
Financial concerns
Cricket West Indies has announced cost-cutting measures, and inter-island travel can add to tour costs.
Case for holding the Test
The ECB says it would consider financial support if needed, and Richard Thompson hopes the Test will go ahead.
Value for England’s preparation
Financial concerns
The articles report cost pressures and note that a women’s Test between West Indies and Australia was cancelled in March.
Case for holding the Test
Thompson said England needs a red-ball warm-up before the Ashes and would prefer to play it in the West Indies.
- Planned Test
- England women versus West Indies women, scheduled for spring 2027
- Wider tour
- Three T20Is and three ODIs are planned for April and May 2027
- ECB position
- Richard Thompson said the ECB would look at providing support if the situation arose
- CWI cost-cutting
- Measures include reductions in player contracts
- Previous cancellation
- A West Indies-Australia women’s Test was cancelled in March, while the white-ball games went ahead
- England preparation
- A 10-day red-ball training camp in India is planned for January
- Ashes opener
- The women’s Ashes is due to begin with a Test at Headingley in June 2027
