ECB open to funding West Indies women's Test ahead of 2027 Ashes

The England and Wales Cricket Board would consider helping to fund England's planned women's Test in the West Indies next year if financial support became necessary, chair Richard Thompson told BBC Sport. The match is scheduled for spring 2027, before England attempt to regain the Ashes from Australia, but Thompson's comments were conditional rather than an announcement of funding.

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The BBC reported that the ECB and Cricket West Indies have not discussed cancelling the Test. The wider tour, which also includes three one-day internationals and three T20s in April and May, is not under threat. Precise dates and venues remain unconfirmed. Thompson said he expected the Test to proceed and indicated the ECB would consider the financial question if it arose.

The issue follows Cricket West Indies' announcement last week of cost-cutting measures, including reductions to player contracts. A women's Test against Australia that the board had been due to host in March was cancelled, although the limited-overs matches went ahead. Hosting costs include travel and accommodation, with flights between Caribbean islands adding to the expense. CWI says domestic air travel has cost it more than $80m over the past 15 years.

Thompson cited the ECB's payment of a touring fee to Zimbabwe's men's team for a Test in England last year as another departure from normal arrangements. Boards generally cover visiting teams' logistical expenses when hosting a series. He stressed the value of the Caribbean fixture as red-ball preparation because the women's Ashes will begin with the series' only Test, at Headingley in June.

England have played only one Test since losing every match on their Australian Ashes tour in early 2025, suffering a defeat against India at Lord's earlier this year. The proposed Caribbean match would also end a long gap in this particular contest: England and West Indies have not met in a women's Test since 1979. West Indies last played the format on a tour of Pakistan in 2004.

England's preparations also include a 10-day red-ball training camp in India in January. Warm-up fixtures involving the countries' A teams, used before the 2023 Ashes, could be repeated in 2027, according to the BBC. Plans for domestic players to gain some early-season red-ball experience are still being finalised, while the West Indies Test remains on the schedule.