The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would "look at" funding a women's Test in the West Indies next year to aid England's Ashes preparations. The Test, part of a multi-format series in spring 2027, was announced in 2024 and is scheduled before England's bid to regain the Ashes from Australia.
Last week, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced money-saving measures including cuts to player contracts. In March, a women's Test West Indies were due to host against Australia was cancelled, though the white-ball element went ahead. There have been no discussions between the ECB and CWI about cancelling the Test.
Asked by BBC Sport if the Test was in doubt, ECB chair Richard Thompson said: "I hope not. That's not expected to be cancelled." When it was put to Thompson that the ECB may need to provide funding, he said the ECB would "look at" the situation. Thompson pointed to a similarly unusual situation when Zimbabwe men's team played a Test in England last year, with the ECB paying a touring fee.
"We want that Test match to play out," said Thompson. "It's very important for us because our first women's match in the Ashes is the Headingley Test, so we need a good red-ball warm-up." The first match of the multi-format women's Ashes series is the sole Test at Headingley in June. England have not played West Indies in a women's Test since 1979.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing