Itinerary for ‘biggest’ England tour of West Indies announced
The tour, which Cricket West Indies stated would be their “biggest” since 2009, will begin with the Tests on 23 January, and the opening match is set to be played in St Lucia – it’ll be England’s first Test at the venue. Barbados and Antigua will host the other two Tests.
When England last toured the Caribbean in 2015, the three-match series finished 1-1, with England taking the lead in Grenada before the Windies restored parity in Barbados.
BIGGEST ENGLAND TOUR TO WEST INDIES IN TEN YEARS https://t.co/pXhGZstos7 pic.twitter.com/EyQVzgie3r
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 31, 2018
The ODIs will begin on 20 February, with the first two to be played in Barbados. Granada will host the third and fourth ODIs, with St Lucia hosting the final one on 2 March. Both teams will hope to use the series to firm up plans ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 starting in July.
The teams will stay in St Lucia for the first T20I on 5 March, before shifting to St Kitts for the last two matches of the tour.
Johnny Grave, the Cricket West Indies chief executive officer, said it would be a “special occasion”.
“England coming to the region is always a special occasion for cricket fans, and we are pulling out all the stops for a successful series on and off the field,” he said.
“West Indies fans create a unique spectator atmosphere and not only do England fans add to this, they bring in a significant tourism boost to the region as thousands will travel here to enjoy the cricket and experience the unique Caribbean culture and hospitality.”
Full itinerary
23-27 Jan – 1st Test, Kensington Oval, Barbados
31 Jan-4 Feb – 2nd Test, Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua
9-13 Feb – 3rd Test, Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia
20 Feb – 1st ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados
22 Feb – 2nd ODI, Kensington Oval, Barbados
25 Feb – 3rd ODI, National Cricket Stadium, Grenada
27 Feb – 4th ODI, National Cricket Stadium, Grenada
2 Mar – 5th ODI, Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia
5 Mar – 1st IT20, Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, St Lucia
8 Mar – 2nd IT20, Warner Park, St Kitts
10 Mar – 3rd IT20 Warner Park, St Kitts