ECB would consider funding West Indies women's Test if needed

The England and Wales Cricket Board would consider helping fund next year's women's Test in the West Indies if required, chair Richard Thompson told BBC Sport. His comments concern a match intended to help England prepare for the Ashes, rather than an agreed payment or a confirmed rescue package.

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BBC Sport reported that the boards have not discussed cancelling the Test and that the wider tour is not under threat. England are scheduled to play three one-day internationals and three T20s in April and May 2027, alongside the Test. Exact dates and venues remain to be confirmed.

Thompson said he expected the Test to go ahead and would examine funding if the need arose. England's women's Ashes campaign begins with a Test at Headingley in June, making red-ball preparation a priority.

The comments come against a backdrop of financial restructuring in West Indies cricket. Newswire reported on September 25 that Cricket West Indies had announced a 25% reduction in retainer fees for internationally contracted men's players, running from October 2026 through September 2027. Those international agreements remain year-long contracts, while domestic retainers are being shortened from 12 months to seven, covering October 2026 to April 2027. The changes affect both payment levels and the length of domestic support.

According to the same report, CWI is also suspending this season's men's Super50 competition and women's T20 Blaze to lower operating costs. Chief executive Chris Dehring said the changes followed discussions with the players and their association. He identified travel and accommodation as significant burdens, citing more than US$80 million spent on domestic airlines over 15 years. CWI plans white-ball matches against England A and a training camp as alternative preparation for its men's ODI World Cup qualifying campaign.

For England, the immediate position remains conditional: Thompson wants the Caribbean Test played, but has not announced funding. BBC Sport also reported that England will hold a 10-day red-ball training camp in India in January.