ECB open to funding Windies women's Test if needed for Ashes prep
The ECB says it would consider providing financial support for a women's Test in the West Indies in spring 2027 if Cricket West Indies needs help staging it amid cost-cutting measures. The match is a key part of England's preparation for the women's Ashes.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has indicated it would consider funding a women's Test in the West Indies next year if that becomes necessary to ensure the match goes ahead. The Test forms part of a multi-format series announced in 2024, scheduled for spring 2027 ahead of England's attempt to reclaim the Ashes from Australia.
The concern follows an announcement last week by Cricket West Indies (CWI) of a broad set of cost-cutting measures, including reduced player contracts. In March, a separate women's Test that West Indies were due to host against Australia was cancelled, although the accompanying white-ball fixtures still took place.
ECB chair Richard Thompson said no discussions have yet taken place between the ECB and CWI about cancelling the 2027 Test, and he expressed hope it will proceed. However, when asked whether the ECB might need to help fund the match, he said his organisation would look into the situation if it arose.
Under typical arrangements between cricket boards, the host nation covers touring costs for visiting teams, but expenses in the West Indies are driven up by the need to fly players between islands. CWI reported spending more than $80 million on domestic air travel over the past 15 years.
Thompson drew a comparison with last year's situation involving Zimbabwe's men's team, which played a Test in England with the ECB covering a touring fee for the visitors. He stressed the importance of the West Indies fixture, noting that England's first women's Ashes match will be the Headingley Test, making a solid red-ball warm-up essential.
England have not played a women's Test against West Indies since 1979, while West Indies have not played any Test match since touring Pakistan in 2004. Beyond the West Indies tour, England's Ashes preparations will also include a 10-day red-ball training camp in India in January.
Thompson made his comments at Lord's, where the ECB also launched new initiatives aimed at bringing cricket to more than 1,700 state secondary schools across England and Wales.
