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England's men to host more five-Test series but play some one-off games overseas

Longer UK series planned for South Africa and Pakistan

England's men to host more five-Test series but play some one-off games overseas

TL;DR

  • England's men's cricket team will have a lopsided Test schedule in the next FTP.
  • More five-match series will be hosted at home, while one-off Tests will increase overseas.
  • The ECB is abandoning reciprocal home and away series principles for the next World Test Championship.
  • England has discussed five-Test series with South Africa and Pakistan.
  • Future tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh might include a single Test alongside white-ball games.
  • The ICC plans to expand the WTC to all 12 Test-playing nations, including Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan.
  • One-off Test matches will now be included in the WTC, requiring a two-Test series previously.
  • The ECB supports one-Test series to provide more opportunities for smaller nations and safeguard Test cricket.
  • ECB research shows Test cricket is the most popular format in England across all age groups.
  • The ECB wants to stage more expanded series to complement those of Australia and India.
  • The ECB has offered South Africa a five-Test tour in 2032 and 2036, with Pakistan as an alternative.
  • The ECB will not insist on full Test tours overseas due to viability in many markets.
  • The proposed new WTC format requires each team to play 12 matches against at least eight different opponents over two years.
  • The top two teams will meet in the WTC final every odd year, with Lord's hosting until 2031.
  • There is no requirement for each team to play everyone, offering discretion over fixtures.
  • The ECB will not sanction matches against Afghanistan outside global ICC events.
  • Richard Thompson, ECB chair, accused the Taliban regime of "gender apartheid".
  • India will not be required to play Pakistan in the expanded WTC unless they reach the final.
  • The ICC board will discuss WTC proposals, with a meeting postponed due to the conflict in the Middle East.
  • The ECB wants to finalize England's schedule until 2036 before its next broadcast rights tender.

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