ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies will look to build on their exploits during the recent ICC Women’s Twenty20 World Cup when they tour England next year for a six-match limited overs series at several major country venues.
Yesterday, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the itinerary for the much anticipated tour, which will run from June 6-25. The two teams will contest three T20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, the latter of which will form part of the ICC Women’s Champion-ship – the qualification criteria for the 2021 50-overs World Cup.
The Windies last toured England for a bilateral series 11 years ago when the now-retired Nadine George captained a side which included the teenaged pair of Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin.
Taylor, now captain, said the Windies would be up for the challenge when they renew their rivalry with the hosts.
“It’s great that we’re having this tour of England. This will form a major be part of our overall development and we believe we can play well in English conditions,” Taylor said.
“We had a great ICC Women’s World T20 at home, so this tour will be good for players as we aim to improve and individuals and get better as a team.”
She continued: “The trip is a little while off but it’s something we’re really looking forward to. England is a wonderful place to play cricket, and I know the girls will enjoy their tour. They have a strong team, so we know it will be a challenge tour, but we are confident of success.”
West Indies beat England in the final group stage match in the recent T20 World Cup before losing their semi-final to Australia in Antigua, to bow out of the tournament.
The English, however, recovered from that defeat to reach the final of the tournament, which they lost to the Aussies on Saturday night.
England are the reigning 50-overs World Cup champions following their triumph at home last summer.
West Indies will be one of two teams touring England as Australia will also take on the hosts in all three formats in the “Women’s Ashes”, and director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said she was thrilled by the prospect of both tours.
“As we have just seen in front of record crowds at the ICC Women’s World T20 in West Indies, both West Indies and Australia will be sure to provide a great challenge for us as well as skillful, entertaining cricket for the growing fan base for the women’s game,” she said.
The two teams last met in the Caribbean two years ago in a five-match ODI series when England prevailed 3-2.
ITINERARY
Thursday June 6
1st ODI: Fischer County Ground, Leicester
Sunday June 9
2nd ODI: Blackfinch New Road, Worcester
Thursday June 13
3rd ODI: Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford
Tuesday June 18
1st T20: The County Ground, Northampton
Friday June 21
2nd T20: The County Ground, Northampton
Tuesday June 25
3rd T20: County Ground, Derby
