The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled a thrilling home season for 2025, packed with cricketing action across all formats for both the men’s and women’s teams. The announcement sets the stage for an electrifying summer of cricket, despite a potential scheduling conflict with the Indian Premier League (IPL) that could see key players absent for vital fixtures. This is reminiscent of the 2024 season when a similar clash saw several England stars unable to participate in the IPL due to national commitments.
According to the ECB’s new schedule, England’s Test team faces the likelihood of a significant clash as they gear up for a one-off Test match against Zimbabwe, scheduled to commence on May 22 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. This match intriguingly overlaps with the final phase of IPL 2025, and it remains uncertain how the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will respond in terms of adjusting the IPL schedule. Frustrations were already apparent this year among IPL franchises due to the overlap with international matches, and the scenario might repeat itself come 2025.
This solitary Test against Zimbabwe acts as the curtain-raiser to an extensive series against India, which begins on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds. The five-match Test series against India is anticipated to be a major highlight of the summer, generating significant excitement among cricket enthusiasts.
Beyond just the thrill of the India series, the ECB has also planned a comprehensive itinerary that includes a mixture of T20Is and ODIs against the West Indies, promising an action-packed cricketing festival. The England women’s team will also feature prominently, hosting India Women for an impactful bilateral series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs, running from June 28 to July 22.
Moreover, England’s men’s white-ball team will wrap up their summer campaign with a fiercely contested series of three ODIs and three T20Is against South Africa. The summer’s international cricket will draw to a close on September 14.
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Beyond the home fixtures, England will soon embark on an away series in South Africa, scheduled for a series of three T20Is starting on September 17, marking a quick transition from their summer campaign to their autumn journey.
Richard Gould, the Chief Executive Officer of the ECB, expressed his enthusiasm about the upcoming season, particularly focusing on welcoming teams from the West Indies, South Africa, India, and Zimbabwe. “India’s tour is always a significant event, a highlight of any cricket summer. The last Men’s Test series here was thrilling, and I’m sure the 2025 series will be equally captivating. Our women’s series are always extremely competitive, and I’m delighted we will again host both West Indies teams for the white-ball series following this year’s successful Men’s Test series.”
Moreover, Gould emphasized the historic significance of Zimbabwe’s return for a Test match, a momentous occasion considering it has been over two decades since their last visit. “Test cricket is deeply cherished in this country, and we recognize the importance of supporting developing cricketing nations to ensure this format thrives long into the future.”
He also confirmed that India Women would revisit England soil in 2026 to take on England Women in what promises to be a landmark event—the first-ever women’s Test match at Lord’s. “This will be a truly special occasion of real significance,” he added.
Here’s how England’s 2025 home season shapes up:
Men’s Series:
– Only Men’s Test against Zimbabwe: May 22–25 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Women’s Series against West Indies:
– T20I Series:
– 1st T20I: May 21 – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
– 2nd T20I: May 23 – The 1st Central County Ground, Hove
– 3rd T20I: May 26 – The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
– ODI Series:
– 1st ODI: May 30 – The County Ground, Derby
– 2nd ODI: June 4 – Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
– 3rd ODI: June 7 – Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Men’s Series against West Indies:
– ODI Series:
– 1st ODI: May 29 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
– 2nd ODI: June 1 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
– 3rd ODI: June 3 – The Kia Oval, London
– T20I Series:
– 1st T20I: June 6 – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
– 2nd T20I: June 8 – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
– 3rd T20I: June 10 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton
Men’s Series against India:
– Test Series:
– 1st Test: June 20–24 – Headingley, Leeds
– 2nd Test: July 2–6 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
– 3rd Test: July 10–14 – Lord’s, London
– 4th Test: July 23–27 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
– 5th Test: July 31 – August 4 – The Kia Oval, London
Women’s Series against India:
– T20I Series:
– 1st T20I: June 28 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
– 2nd T20I: July 1 – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
– 3rd T20I: July 4 – The Kia Oval, London
– 4th T20I: July 9 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
– 5th T20I: July 12 – Edgbaston, Birmingham
– ODI Series:
– 1st ODI: July 16 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton
– 2nd ODI: July 19 – Lord’s, London
– 3rd ODI: July 22 – Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
Men’s Series against South Africa:
– ODI Series:
– 1st ODI: September 2 – Headingley, Leeds
– 2nd ODI: September 4 – Lord’s, London
– 3rd ODI: September 7 – Utilita Bowl, Southampton
– T20I Series:
– 1st T20I: September 10 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
– 2nd T20I: September 12 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
– 3rd T20I: September 14 – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
The ECB’s announcement sets the stage for a dynamic and star-studded cricketing summer in 2025, providing fans with a myriad of matches to look forward to, while also posing challenges for scheduling coordination with the IPL. How this situation unfolds remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat.
