England announces schedule for the West Indies Test series

After 3 months gap due to Coronavirus pandemic, International cricket will be returning as England has announced its schedule for the 3 match Test series to be played from 8^th July 2020.

The West Indies Cricket Team will arrive in England on June 9^th and would travel to Old Trafford, Manchester for a three-week quarantine period and training. It is a big boost as international had completely come to a halt. According to the ECB press release, the venues for the Test series were chosen due to biosecurity environment, Testing, medical screening, social distancing, and other cricketing facilities.

As per the original schedule, England was to be held at Lords, Oval and, Edgbaston from May. "We are in daily dialogue with government and our medical team, who have been incredibly supportive during this period," Elworthy said. "These are our proposed dates and they remain subject to UK Government approval."

There will be no crowds at the stadiums. With cases in England reducing, it is a big step towards cricket returning. Both teams have started practice and would be looking to sharpen the skills.

England played their last Test series in New Zealand. They had played a warm-up match in Sri Lanka but pulled out of the series due to an increase in coronavirus cases.  

If the government gives approval to the series, ECB will become the first board to start international cricket. West Indies will announce squad for the 3 match Test series and hoping for a good series. After the Test series against West Indies, England is to host Pakistan in 3 match Test and 3 T20I series from 5^th August.

Here we look at the schedule for the 3 match Test series between England and West Indies

1.       1^st Test (8^th-12^th July)- Ages Bowl, Southampton

2.       2^nd Test (16th-20^th July)- Old Trafford, Manchester

3.       3^rd Test ( 24^th-28^th July)- Old Trafford, Manchester

First international series announced after Pandemic