England’s tour of West Indies next year could be extended to feature two more Twenty20 internationals between the sides, with hopes that the matches will help the hosts to make up for financial losses from the lack of a home Test series in the coming years.
England are currently touring West Indies for three one-day internationals – with the series locked at 1-1 ahead of Saturday’s day-night decider in Barbados – and five T20Is. They are scheduled to return to the Caribbean next November for a series that has been slated as three ODIs and three T20Is.
But Cricket West Indies is now hopeful that England’s tour will feature an extra two T20Is, bringing the tour up to three ODIs and five T20Is – mirroring the current tour. The itinerary for next year’s tour is due to be discussed in the coming days.
Any amendment to the schedule would need the agreement of both sides. But relations between the two boards are strong. For English players and supporters, the Caribbean remains among the most popular tours.
The travelling Barmy Army supporters are an important source of revenue for Cricket West Indies. When West Indies hosted England in all formats in 2019, the three series generated a combined $3.5 million in direct ticket sales, with the vast majority coming from England fans. Cricket West Indies also negotiate ‘bid fees’ – financial support from hosting islands.
But the main financial benefit from the matches would be the broadcasting rights in England. Cricket West Indies loses money when hosting all countries other than England and India, meaning that such tours are needed to subsidise their other home internationals and the wider Caribbean game.
West Indies are not playing any home Test matches against England in the current edition of the Future Tours Programme, which runs from 2023-27. An extra two T20Is next year would help to make up for the financial blow of not hosting England’s Test side in the ongoing cycle, with the time zone in the Caribbean ideal for fans watching games on TV from England. While extra ODIs could be an alternative option, extra T20Is would make fewer demands on players.
An enlarged white-ball tour next winter could also help England’s preparation for subsequent white-ball events – the Champions Trophy, in February 2025, and the T20 World Cup, in February 2026.
England already have a packed schedule for the 2024-25 winter. In October, they are due to tour Pakistan for three Tests, before playing three Tests in New Zealand from the end of November into December. In early 2025, England play three ODIs and five T20Is in India, before returning to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
As such, players who appear in both the Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand would appear unlikely to be able to make the white-ball tour to West Indies. England are generally relaxed about undertaking limited-overs tours without access to all their multi-format players, recognising the need to build depth.
England are already due to return to West Indies in June, for the T20 World Cup. The tournament is being co-hosted by West Indies and the United States, but England are likely to be based in the Caribbean.
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