The cricketing summer of 2025 promises to be an exhilarating period for fans in England, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has officially released the schedule for the English cricket season. Both the men’s and women’s cricket teams are set to feature in action-packed contests, headlined by the eagerly awaited series against India. The announcement has sparked excitement among the cricketing community, creating a buzz that’s expected to translate into packed stadiums and high viewer engagement.
The blockbuster fixture features the England men’s team going head-to-head with India in a five-match Test series, commencing from June 20 and concluding on August 4. The first Test is set to take place in Leeds, followed by Birmingham hosting the second Test from July 2. The iconic Lord’s will be the stage for the third Test starting on July 10, with Manchester and The Oval hosting the fourth and fifth Tests respectively.
Parallel to the men’s cricket extravaganza, the England women’s team will also be clashing with the Indian women’s team in a bilateral series. The women’s series will include three T20 Internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs). The women’s action kicks off on June 28 with a T20I in Nottingham, followed by matches in Bristol on July 1 and The Oval on July 4. The women’s T20 series culminates with fixtures in Manchester on July 9 and Birmingham on July 12. The ODI leg will then unfurl, starting on July 16 in Southampton, proceeding to Lord’s on July 19, and wrapping up in Chester-le-Street on July 22.
However, before the much-anticipated India series, cricket fans will have the opportunity to witness England take on the West Indies. Both the English men’s and women’s teams will participate in three ODIs and three T20Is each against the visiting side. England’s intense summer of cricket will officially start with Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket in England, marking their first appearance since 2003. This historic four-day Test will be conducted at Trent Bridge from May 22.
.
Towards the latter half of the summer, the English men’s team will once again ignite the pitches, this time locking horns with South Africa. From September 2 to September 14, England will play three ODIs and three T20Is against the Proteas, spreading excitement among fans. Moreover, the English cricketing calendar will also feature a mini-tour to Ireland, where the men’s team will play three ODIs on September 17, 19, and 21.
The combined scheduling of men’s and women’s series has been a strategic move by the ECB to foster the growth of women’s cricket. ECB CEO Richard Gould elaborated on the overwhelming positive reception this format has received from fans, highlighting the successful implementation in previous series such as the Ashes and earlier this year’s Pakistan series. “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,” Gould stated. He further added, “I’m excited we’ll be doing the same again for the West Indies and India series next year. 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.”
Reflecting on the cricketing rivalry with India, Gould emphasized the thrill and competitive spirit that India tours bring to English cricket seasons. “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.” He also expressed his enthusiasm for welcoming both men’s and women’s West Indies teams back for another thrilling white-ball series.
Additionally, Gould revealed exciting future prospects for the women’s game, announcing that the Indian women’s team will return to England in 2026 to partake in the historic first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s.
Here is the complete schedule for England’s Home Summer of 2025:
– Men’s Test v Zimbabwe: Trent Bridge from May 22
– Women’s White-Ball Series v West Indies: Dates and venues to be confirmed
– Men’s White-Ball Series v West Indies: Dates and venues to be confirmed
– Men’s Test Series v India: June 20 – August 4 (Leeds, Birmingham, Lord’s, Manchester, The Oval)
– Women’s White-Ball Series v India Women: June 28 – July 22 (Nottingham, Bristol, The Oval, Manchester, Birmingham, Southampton, Lord’s, Chester-le-Street)
– Men’s White-Ball Series v South Africa: September 2 – September 14
– Men’s ODIs v Ireland: September 17, 19, 21
The 2025 summer promises to be action-packed and thrilling, with both men’s and women’s cricket taking center stage in a series of high-stakes matches that will captivate cricket fans all over the world.