'We all have huge sympathy': Why England cricket ready to fund West Indies Test

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could step in financially if needed to ensure England’s women play a Test in the West Indies next spring. The match is planned as part of a multi-format series and is considered important preparation for England’s 2027 Ashes campaign.Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently announced several cost-cutting measures, including reductions in player contracts. Earlier this year, it also cancelled a planned women’s Test against Australia, although the rest of that tour went ahead.There have been no talks about cancelling England’s Test, and the wider tour, which includes three T20s and three ODIs, is not currently under threat.

Speaking to the BBC, ECB chair Richard Thompson said: "I hope not.

That's not expected to be cancelled. I hope it will take place."He also said the ECB would "look at" providing financial help if CWI faced difficulties staging the match.Normally, the host cricket board pays the costs of hosting visiting teams. However, touring in the Caribbean can be expensive because players often need to travel between different islands. CWI said it has spent more than $80m on domestic air travel over the past 15 years.

'It's very important for us'

Thompson said the ECB wants the Test to happen because England need more red-ball cricket before the Ashes."We want that Test match to play out," said Thompson. "It's very important for us because our first women's match in the Ashes is the Headingley Test, so we need a good red-ball warm-up.

"We've got to be playing somewhere and we'd much prefer that to be the West Indies."England have played just one Test since their Ashes defeat in early 2025, losing to India at Lord’s.

They have not faced West Indies in a women’s Test since 1979, while West Indies last played a Test in 2004.England will also hold a 10-day red-ball training camp in India in January as part of their Ashes preparations.Thompson added: "We all have a huge sympathy for the West Indies, we all want to see a successful West Indian nation. They have very unique challenges and I hope through the International Cricket Council and others we can find a way through this."