England host West Indies, Australia and South Africa in cricket series

LONDON, (Reuters) – England will play three-test  series against West Indies and South Africa next year separated  by a five-match one-day series against Australia, the England  and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said today.
The home side, who replaced India as the world’s top-ranked  test nation this year, will play 14 one-day internationals,  including a match against Scotland, and four Twenty20 games  during a crowded summer.
“With England looking to maintain its position as the number  one side in the ICC’s World Test rankings and also preparing to  defend the world T20 title in Sri Lanka next autumn, interest in  next summer’s international programme will be intense,” ECB  chief executive David Collier said in a statement.
“A record number of people attended this season’s  international fixtures and with an exciting summer in prospect  again in 2012, we would urge spectators to buy tickets early in  order to avoid disappointment.”
Test match schedule:
West Indies   First test, Lord’s, May 17-20   Second test, Trent Bridge, May 25-29   Third test, Edgbaston, June 7-11
South Africa   First test, Oval, July 19-23   Second test, Headingley, Aug. 2-6   Third test, Lord’s, Aug. 16-20