England to host Pakistan series next year before World Cup

LONDON: Pakistan will play against England next year before the World Cup, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced.

ECB announced its major match schedule for 2019 which also includes series against Australia and Ireland apart from Pakistan.

Pakistan will be England’s first opponents with their tour featuring five One-Day Internationals and a T20 as both countries prepare for the ICC Cricket World Cup which starts on 30 May 2019.

5 May: England v Pakistan T20. Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
8 May: England v Pakistan 1st ODI D/N, Oval, London
11 May: England v Pakistan 2nd ODI, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
14 May: England v Pakistan 3rd ODI D/N, Brightside Ground, Bristol
17 May: England v Pakistan 4th ODI D/N, Trent Bridge, Nottingham
19 May: England v Pakistan 5th ODI, Headingley, Leeds

England will play an historic Test match against Ireland at Lord’s from 24-27 July. The four-day contest will build on last year’s ODI series between the two countries and will be their first ever meeting in the game’s longest format.

England will shift its domestic season to avoid any clash with World Cup and Ashes series. The five Test Ashes series will start on August 1 as England bid to end the regain the title.

1-5 August: England v Australia 1st Test, Edgbaston
14-18 August: England v Australia 2nd Test, Lord’s
22-26 August: England v Australia 3rd Test, Headingley
4-8 Sept: England v Australia 4th Test, Emirates Old Trafford
12-16 Sept: England v Australia 5th Test, Kia Oval

ECB CEO Tom Harrison said: “Next summer’s schedule – with an ICC Cricket World Cup and an Ashes Series at its heart – is truly a season to savour for cricket fans of all ages, nationalities and cultures.

“It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to build an even bigger following for all formats of the game.

“There is nothing more important to England cricket fans than an Ashes Series. With the added element of being England’s first Test series in the new World Test Championship, it’s a hugely exciting prospect and we anticipate unprecedented demand for tickets.

“We would love to see fans from all over the world getting to experience the unique atmosphere of an Ashes Test match after the ICC Cricket World Cup.

“We fully supported the ICC’s decision to award Full Membership to Cricket Ireland and we expect next summer’s inaugural Test match at Lord’s against our neighbours to be an historic celebration for all Irish cricket fans.

“It will also provide excellent Ashes preparation for England against an Irish team whose impressive performance against Pakistan earlier this year showed they can compete strongly in this form of the game.”