The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the international cricket schedule for the summer of 2025, featuring a packed lineup of bilateral series. England’s men’s team will face Zimbabwe, West Indies, India, and South Africa in a series of Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and T20 Internationals (T20Is). The summer will conclude with a tour of Ireland.

England to open the summer with historic Zimbabwe Test

The English summer kicks off with a historic one-off Test against Zimbabwe, set to be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from May 22-25, 2025. This marks Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket in England after more than 20 years. The encounter will be a significant moment for both nations, with England expected to provide a tough challenge to the developing Zimbabwean side.

West Indies series: White-ball action begins in Birmingham

Following the Test match against Zimbabwe, England will shift focus to white-ball cricket as they host the West Indies for three ODIs and three T20Is. The series will begin on May 29 at Edgbas?ton in Birmingham, with subsequent matches taking place across Cardiff, London, Chester-le-Street, Bristol, and Southampton. This series is expected to showcase explosive cricket, with both teams known for their aggressive style? in the shorter formats of the game.

Blockbuster India Test series: Five-match leg begins in June

One of the highlights of the summer will be the five-match Test series between England and India, beginning on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. The rivalry between th?ese two cricke?ting giants has produced some memorable moments in the past, and the upcoming series is expected to be another thrilling chapter. Matches will also be played at iconic venues including Edgbaston, Lord’s, Old Trafford, and The Oval.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould expressed excitement about the India series. In a media release, he stated, “India touring is always a big draw and a highlight of any cricket summer. The last Men’s Test series here was a nail-biter, and I’m sure next year’s clash will be just as exciting.”

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South Africa to conclude home summer with limited-overs series

The final leg of England’s home summer will see the team take on South Africa in a limited-overs series, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The series will run through September, starting with an ODI at Headingley on September 2 and wrapping up with a T20I at Trent Bridge on September 14. Following the conclusion of this series, England will travel to Ireland for a three-match ODI series from Septembe??r 1??7-21.

ECB focused on balancing Test and white-ball cricket

Gould emphasized the importance of supporting Test cricket while also showcasing England’s strength in white-ball formats. He highlighted Zimbabwe’s return to Test cricket and the significance of ensuring the format’s future: “Test cricket is so beloved in this country, and we know that we have an important role to play in supporting developing Test cricketing nations so that this format of the game thrives long into the future.”

Summer 2025 schedule:

England vs Zimbabwe – One-off Test

• Only Test: 22â€?5 May – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

England vs West Indies – ODI Series

• 1st ODI: 29 May – Edgbaston, Birmingham
• 2nd ODI: 1 June – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
• 3rd ODI: 3 June – The Kia Oval, London

England vs West Indies – T20I Series

• 1st T20I: 6 June – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
• 2nd T20I: 8 June – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
• 3rd T20I: 10 June – Utilita Bowl, Southampton

England vs India – Test Series

• 1st Test: 20â€?4 June – Headingley, Leeds
• 2nd Test: 2â€? July – Edgbaston, Birmingham
• 3rd Test: 10â€?4 July – Lord’s, London
• 4th Test: 23â€?7 July – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• 5th Test: 31 July â€?4 August – The Kia Oval, London

England vs South Africa – ODI Series

• 1st ODI: 2 September – Headingley, Leeds
• 2nd ODI: 4 September – Lord’s, London
• 3rd ODI: 7 September – Utilita Bowl, Southampton

England vs South Africa – T20I Series

• 1st T20I: 10 September – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
• 2nd T20I: 12 September – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• 3rd T20I: 14 September – Trent Bridge, Nottingham

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In a groundbreaking move, Zimbabwe will become the first team in modern cricket to receive a ‘touring fee’ from the hosts in bilateral cricket. This historic event will take place during their one-off Test match against England in th??e summer of 2025. This development marks a significant shift in how touring teams are compensated, addressin??g the financial disparities in international cricket.

ECB Chief Executive Richard Gould confirms the development

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould confirmed this landmark decisio??n on Sky Sports. Gould discussed the need for a collective effort by all full member nations t??o eliminate revenue disparity and ensure that players and fans experience quality Test cricket. He emphasized the responsibility of major cricketing nations to maintain the competitiveness of Test matches.

Reason behind ECB’s move

Gould explained the reasoning behind the ECB’s decision to provide a touring fee to Zimbabwe. He pointed out the outdated nature of the current revenue-sharing model in bilateral cricket.

“Normally, the touring team gets itself into the country and then is looked after in terms of accommodation, but there is no fee for that team. Next year when we play against Zimbabwe, there will be a fee for that team that’s touring,” Gould stated.

This move is part of broader efforts to ensure th?at smaller cricketing nations can continue to participate in and host Test matches without fa?cing financial hardships.

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Challenges facing Test cricket

The longest format of the sport has seen a decline in popularity outside the traditional cricket heartlands, mainly due to the global rise of lucrative Twenty20 leagues. Smaller cricketing nations, in particular, struggle to meet the growing financial costs associated with Test cricket. The high costs of touring and hosting Test matches, combined with diminishing broadcasting revenues, have cast doubts on the future of Test cricket. Earlier this year, Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO highlighted these challenges, describing the ICC’s revenue-sharing model as broken following the West Indies’ two-match Test series against Australia.

This innovative move by the ECB aims to address these financial challenges and support the sustainability of Test cricket, ensuring that even smaller nations can continue to participate in the sport’s longest and most prestigious format.

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In a noteworthy development, Zimbabwe Cricket made a momentous announcement on Tuesday (August 15) revealing their impending bilateral tour to England. Marking a significant shift, this tour marks the first instance of such an engagement since the year 2003. The focal point of this upcoming cricketing rendezvous will be a four-day Test match scheduled to unfold from May 28 to 31, 2025. While the date has been set, the ??exact venue of this anticipated encounter is yet to be determined.

The last time Zimbabwe set foot on English soil for a cricketing clash, it was a two-match Test series that concluded with hosts England securing victory in both matches, each by an impressive innings margin. Adding to the cricketing spectacle, Zimbabwe further participated in an enthralling ODI tri-ser??ies, a contest that al??so featured cricketing stalwarts South Africa.

Givemore Makoni, the Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket, expressed his elation and shared insights into the monumental decision. “We are absolutely delighted to be resuming bilateral cricketing ties with England after more than two decades,” he stated.

Makoni extended gratitude to the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board) for their commitment to revitalizing the cricketing relations that trace their roots back to the origins of the game in Zimbabwe du?ring th?e 1890s.

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“The significance and magnitude of this tour cannot be overemphasised, and I would like to say a huge thank you to the ECB for committing to the resumption of cricketing relations between our countries that date back to the introduction of the game in Zimbabwe in the 1890s,” added Makoni.

The James Anderson connection

Notably, the inception of James Anderson‘s illustrious cricket journey can be traced back to the Zimbabwe tour of England in 2003. It was during this tour that Anderson, now an iconic fast bowler, made his Test debut for the English team. His maiden appearance in the Test arena witnessed a spectacular performance, where he clinched five crucial wickets, providing a glimpse of the greatness that would define his future career.

However, the prospect of witnessing Anderson once again in action against Zimbabwe in 2025 seems increasingly remote. As he navigates the twilight of his remarkable career, recent events, including the retirement an?nouncement of his fellow fast bowling companion Stuart Broad from the longest format, contribute to the sense of transition within the team. Presently,? Anderson stands at an admirable third position in the list of leading wicket-takers, with an impressive tally of 690 dismissals achieved across 183 matches.

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