The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the eagerly anticipated schedule for the 2025 summer season, setting the stage for a cricketing bonanza as both the men’s and women’s teams will engage in two simultaneous series. The highlight of these fixtures will undoubtedly be the high-stakes encounters against India. The England men’s team is set to face India in a five-match Test series, which will unfold from June 20 to August 4. Meanwhile, the women’s team will also go head-to-head against their Indian counterparts in a series consisting of three T20 internationals (T20Is) and three One Day Internationals (ODIs), spanning from June 28 to July 22.
The cricket frenzy will kick off with the iconic Headingley Stadium in Leeds hosting the first Test between England and India, commencing on June 20. Following this, the series will move to Birmingham, where the second Test will take place from July 2. The world’s attention will then turn to Lord’s, often referred to as the “Home of Cricket,” which will host the third Test starting on July 10. The action will continue with the fourth and fifth Tests scheduled to be held in Manchester and The Oval respectively, ensuring that cricket supporters across the country will get a chance to witness the thrilling contest.
Concurrently, the India women’s tour of England promises to be just as exciting. The tour will begin with five T20Is, staged at premier venues: June 28 in Nottingham, July 1 in Bristol, July 4 at The Oval, July 9 in Manchester, and concluding on July 12 in Birmingham. This will be followed by three ODIs set to captivate fans on July 16, July 19, and July 22 at Southampton, Lord’s, and Chester-le-Street respectively.
But before the much-awaited India series lights up the summer, the cricket season will commence with a historic encounter — Zimbabwe’s return to the English soil for their first Test match in England since 2003. This four-day game is slated to be held at Trent Bridge starting May 22. The excitement doesn’t end here.
. Both men’s and women’s teams from West Indies will visit England for three ODIs and three T20Is each, further adding to the summer spectacle.
As the summer progresses, England’s men are scheduled to square off against South Africa in a white-ball series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, which will take place from September 2 to September 14. The season will crescendo with England’s visit to Ireland for a trio of ODIs on September 17, 19, and 21, thereby providing a fitting finale to a packed and thrilling summer of cricket.
Commenting on the extensive schedule, ECB CEO Richard Gould expressed his enthusiasm: “Staging the England Men’s and Women’s series side by side has proven to be popular among fans and crucial for the growth of the women’s game. The success of the dual series format during the Ashes last year and the Pakistan series earlier this year has been encouraging. I am thrilled that we will continue this approach for the West Indies and India series next year. Cricket enthusiasts are in for an absolute treat, and I hope they come out in large numbers to support both our men’s and women’s teams.”
Gould went on to highlight the particular allure of India’s tour, stating, “India touring is always a marquee event and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last men’s Test series against India was a closely contested affair, and I’m sure next year’s battles will be just as thrilling. Our women’s series are equally competitive and exciting. I am also delighted about welcoming both West Indies teams back for the white-ball series, following this year’s men’s Test series.”
Moreover, Gould revealed an exciting prospect for the future of women’s cricket, emphasizing that India women’s team will return to England in 2026 to partake in the first ever women’s Test match at Lord’s, signaling a historic moment for the sport.
In summary, the full schedule of England’s home summer 2025 is a testament to the ECB’s commitment to offering an unforgettable cricketing experience for fans, ensuring a seamless blend of nostalgia and modern rivalry:
– Men’s Test v Zimbabwe
– Women’s White-Ball Series v West Indies
– Men’s White-Ball Series v West Indies
– Men’s Test Series v India
– Women’s White-Ball Series v India Women
– Men’s White-Ball Series v South Africa
It is set to be a summer where the rich tradition of cricket meets exhilarating new chapters, offering a feast for cricket aficionados across the globe.