England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Tuesday (June 2) announced the schedule for England's home Test series against West Indies in July, subject to government clearance amid COVID-19 pandemic.
The series, marking the resumption of international cricket after a lengthy hiatus, will be played entirely behind closed doors in bio-secure environment for training and on-field action.
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The first Test will be played from July 8 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton followed by the next two games at the Old Trafford ground in Manchester from 16-20 and 24-28 July respectively. Both venues have on-site hotels.
"The West Indies squad will arrive in the UK on Tuesday 9 June, travelling to Emirates Old Trafford for quarantining and training. This will be their base for a three-week period before moving to the Ageas Bowl for the start of the first Test," said the ECB in a statement.
The schedule announced by the ECB, said the board's events director Steve Elworthy, is subject to government approval.
"Our main objective is to deliver a safe environment for all stakeholders including players, match officials, operational staff, essential venue staff, broadcasters and media," said Elworthy.
"We are in daily dialogue with Government and our medical team, who have been incredibly supportive during this period. These are our proposed dates and they remain subject to UK Government approval."
The series will be the first home Test series for England in a while to have no match played at Lord's.
The two venues leapfrogged other marquee grounds in the country for this series because the venue selection criteria included medical screening/testing provision and on-site accommodation.
"The Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford will receive an administration fee for staging the Test series and all additional central costs will be met by the ECB," reads the ECB statement. "The HVP also confirmed that Edgbaston was selected as a contingency venue and will be used to stage additional training throughout July."
Apart from West Indies, England is also due to host Pakistan, Australia and Ireland for international fixtures in the curtailed summer.
