The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the much-awaited schedule for the 2025 summer, announcing a series of major cricketing events that promise to captivate fans worldwide. This summer will see the men’s and women’s cricket teams of England and India facing off in thrilling encounters, with the men’s five-match Test series taking center stage from June 20 to August 4. Concurrently, the women’s teams will clash in a series comprising three T20Is and three ODIs between June 28 and July 22.
The cricketing action kicks off with the men’s series, where Leeds has been chosen for hosting the first Test match beginning on June 20. The excitement will then move to Birmingham for the second Test starting on July 2. The prestigious Lord’s Cricket Ground will witness the third Test from July 10, followed by matches in Manchester and The Oval for the fourth and fifth Tests, respectively.
On the women’s side, India’s tour of England will begin with five intense T20I matches. These will be held in various iconic venues: Nottingham will host the first T20I on June 28, followed by Bristol on July 1, The Oval on July 4, Manchester on July 9, and finally Birmingham on July 12. The T20 series will be succeeded by three ODI matches slated for July 16, July 19, and July 22, scheduled to be played in Southampton, Lord’s, and Chester-le-Street.
Adding an extra layer of excitement, the ECB revealed that before India’s much-anticipated visit, the West Indies will also tour England. This arrangement includes both the men’s and women’s teams playing three ODIs and three T20Is each. The English summer will kick off with a four-day Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, marking Zimbabwe’s first Test in England since 2003, scheduled from May 22.
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As summer peaks, English cricket fans will also get to see their men’s national team take on South Africa in a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is set to occur from September 2 to September 14. Notably, in September, the men’s team will also travel to Ireland for a quick series of three ODIs on September 17, 19, and 21.
Richard Gould, CEO of the ECB, expressed immense excitement regarding the dual series format, stating, “Staging England Men’s and England Women’s series alongside each other has been popular with fans and has supported the continued growth of the women’s game. Both the Ashes series last year and the Pakistan series earlier this year proved to be successful. I am excited that we will continue this trend for the West Indies and India series next year. Cricket fans are in for a real treat, and I hope they will come out in large numbers to support both our men’s and women’s sides.”
Gould further commented on the magnetism of the India series, highlighting previous nail-biting encounters: “India touring is always a significant event and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last men’s Test series here was gripping, and I am confident that next year’s clash will be just as exhilarating. Our women’s matches are always fiercely contested. Additionally, I am delighted that we will welcome both West Indies teams back again for white-ball series, following this year’s men’s Test series.”
He also provided a glimpse into the future, noting that India women will return to England in 2026 to participate in the first-ever women’s Test at Lord’s, furthering the ECB’s commitment to developing women’s cricket.
For fans eager to mark their calendars, the full schedule of England’s home summer in 2025 is as follows:
– Men’s Test vs Zimbabwe
– Women’s White-Ball Series vs West Indies
– Men’s White-Ball Series vs West Indies
– Men’s Test Series vs India
– Women’s White-Ball Series vs India Women
– Men’s White-Ball Series vs South Africa
The diverse lineup promises an action-packed summer filled with high-stakes matches and unforgettable moments, offering a feast for cricket enthusiasts around the world.