England's cricket team faces a demanding schedule in 2025, with a three-match ODI series against Ireland being rescheduled from June to late September. Initially set during England's Test series with India, the series was moved to provide a less congested mid-summer period and potentially allow England to field a stronger team. Ireland is pleased with the commitment to their first three-match home series against England, despite concerns about late-season weather.
The shift in the schedule underscores the challenges for any new coach succeeding Matthew Mott in managing England's white-ball teams. The intense calendar makes it difficult for the coach to consistently access key multi-format players for crucial bilateral series, which are essential for team cohesion ahead of the World Cup.
The revised 2025 schedule, set to be finalised and announced in August, highlights an exceptionally busy year for England. The season begins in May and extends into March of the following year, including an Ashes series that will be pivotal for Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum's Bazball project. The home summer kicks off with a rare Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge, England's first since Jimmy Anderson's debut series in 2003. To facilitate this, the ECB will pay Zimbabwe a tour fee. This match could conflict with the final stages of the Indian Premier League, potentially impacting player availability.
England is unlikely to qualify for the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in early June, which is scheduled before the five-Test series against India, running parallel to the Ashes dates in 2023. This series should conclude by early August, followed by the Hundred tournament.
The white-ball schedule is equally demanding, with a three-match ODI and T20 series against West Indies in June and a similar series against South Africa after the Hundred. England must carefully manage player workloads to avoid burnout before the Ashes in Australia. The five-Test series in Australia, the only red-ball cricket of the 2025/26 season, will be announced soon. Following this, England will tour New Zealand in October for three ODIs and T20s, then Sri Lanka for another series in the same formats. The season culminates with the T20 World Cup in India in February and March.