The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled a tantalizing schedule for the summer of 2025, with a series of high-stakes cricket matchups that include both the men’s and women’s teams. The marquee event: England’s men’s team facing off against India in a five-match Test series between June 20 and August 4. Simultaneously, England’s women’s team will compete against India’s women in a multi-format series that includes three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from June 28 to July 22.
Leeds has the honor of hosting the first Test of the men’s series starting on June 20. This will be followed by the second Test in Birmingham from July 2. The iconic venue of Lord’s will be the battleground for the third Test, beginning on July 10. Manchester’s ground will host the fourth Test, and the grand finale will take place at The Oval.
In the women’s series, Nottingham will set the stage with the opening T20I on June 28. The action will then move to Bristol for the second T20I on July 1, followed by a game at The Oval on July 4. Manchester and Birmingham will then host the final two T20Is on July 9 and July 12, respectively. The ODI series for women will open in Southampton on July 16. The second ODI will grace the historic ground of Lord’s on July 19, and the final match will take place in Chester-le-Street on July 22.
Before the highly anticipated India series, the summer will begin with a visit from the West Indies. Both the men’s and women’s teams from the Caribbean will participate in a series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is each, enriching the cricket calendar.
. To start the summer, Zimbabwe will make a historic return to England for their first Test match since 2003. This four-day encounter is set to be played at Trent Bridge beginning on May 22.
The curtain will close on the summer with the England men’s team playing a three-match ODI and three-match T20I series against South Africa from September 2 to September 14. Subsequently, the England men’s team will also take a short trip to Ireland in the same month to engage in a three-match ODI series scheduled for September 17, 19, and 21.
“Staging England Men’s and England Women’s series alongside each other has been popular with fans and supported the continued growth of the women’s game, with both the Ashes last year and the Pakistan series earlier this year proving successful. I’m excited we’ll be doing the same again for the West Indies and India series next year,” said ECB CEO Richard Gould. He added, “Cricket fans are in for a real treat, and I hope they’ll be out in force to support both men’s and women’s sides.”
Gould emphasized the significance of India’s tour, stating, “India touring is always a big draw and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last men’s Test series here was a nail-biter and I’m sure next year’s clash will be just as exciting, while our women’s series are always fiercely competitive.” Adding a delightful future prospect, he mentioned, “I’m delighted we’ll also be welcoming both West Indies teams back again for white-ball series, following this year’s men’s Test series. Moreover, India women will return to England in 2026 to feature in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s.”
The full schedule for England’s home summer of 2025 encapsulates a rich variety of cricket formats and venues:
– Men’s Test vs Zimbabwe: May 22 at Trent Bridge
– Women’s White-Ball Series vs West Indies: Dates and venues to be determined
– Men’s White-Ball Series vs West Indies: Dates and venues to be determined
– Men’s Test Series vs India: June 20-August 4 at Leeds, Birmingham, Lord’s, Manchester, and The Oval
– Women’s White-Ball Series vs India: June 28-July 22 at Nottingham, Bristol, The Oval, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton, Lord’s, and Chester-le-Street
– Men’s White-Ball Series vs South Africa: September 2-September 14 at various venues
– Men’s ODI series vs Ireland: September 17, 19, 21 at various venues
As the cricketing world eagerly anticipates the summer of 2025, fans can look forward to a jam-packed calendar with both historic encounters and thrilling new engagements. This lineup promises to celebrate the sport in all its glory, inviting both long-time followers and new enthusiasts to experience the excitement first-hand.