As the women’s Ashes builds towards an exciting climax, the England and Wales Cricket Board today announced the summer 2018 international fixtures for the World Cup winning England women’s team.
One year on from lifting the trophy on an historic day in front of a packed house at Lord’s, England will face World Cup semi-finalists South Africa before taking on long-time rivals New Zealand.
South Africa: The summer kicks off with a June Royal London ODI series against South Africa. The teams will face off at New Road, Worcester before day-night games at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove and Canterbury.
IT20 Tri-Series: The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton and The Brightside Ground, Bristol will host double-header match-days with South Africa facing New Zealand then England on June 20, England against South Africa and New Zealand on June 23, and New Zealand against South Africa and England on June 28. The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford will host the Final between the two top-performing sides on July 1.
New Zealand: Heather Knight’s side conclude the summer with a Royal London ODI series against New Zealand, who currently sit one place below England in the ICC World Rankings. Emerald Headingley, The 3aaa County Ground, Derby and The Fischer County Ground, Grace Road will be the hosts with the final two games taking place under lights.
Both ODI series will see crucial ICC Women’s Championship points up for grabs while the IT20 Tri-Series takes on extra importance ahead of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20, to be played in the West Indies in November 2018. Those not in attendance will still be able to follow the team over the summer with every ball of every game broadcast live on Sky Sports and via BBC Radio.
Players from all three sides will then turn their attentions to the expanded Kia Super League which will wrap up the summer in August. The tournament is doubling in length after the success of the first two years. The 1st Central County Ground, Hove will host Finals Day for the second year in succession on the bank holiday Monday 27th August, live on Sky Sports and BBC Radio.
Looking ahead to the summer Clare Connor, ECB Director of Women’s Cricket said: “We are very excited to be staging two different series against high class opposition next summer with an expanded fixture list reflecting increased spectator interest in watching the England women’s team in action.
“Last summer’s World Cup success must be the watershed moment for our game that everyone is saying it could be. We will measure that through on-pitch performances, ticket sales, numbers of viewers and listeners and our ability to attract new fans and participants. The 2018 schedule is an exciting one across both white ball formats and will ensure that more people around the country have the chance to watch the team.
“Both South Africa and New Zealand will be tough tests for England and we can expect a competitive and exciting summer of cricket ahead in both formats.”
ICC Women’s Championship Royal London ODIs v South Africa
9 June First ODI v South Africa – New Road, Worcester, 11am start
12 June Second ODI v South Africa – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove (D/N), 1pm start
15 June Third ODI v South Africa – Canterbury (D/N), 2pm start
T20 Tri-Series – England, South Africa & New Zealand
20 June The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, South Africa v New Zealand, 1pm start; England v South Africa, 5:40pm start
23 June The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, England v South Africa, 1pm start; England v New Zealand, 5:40pm start
28 June The Brightside Ground, Bristol, South Africa v New Zealand, 1pm start; England v New Zealand, 5:40pm start
1 July Final – The Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford (3pm)
ICC Women’s Championship Royal London ODIs v New Zealand
7 July First ODI v New Zealand – Emerald Headingley, 11am start
10 July Second ODI v New Zealand – The 3aaa County Ground, Derby (D/N), 1pm start
13 July Third ODI v New Zealand – The Fischer County Ground, Grace Road (D/N), 2pm start
Kia Super League Finals Day
27 August – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
Report courtesy of the ECB
