England’s First Test in the West Indies Set for 2027

In a groundbreaking shift for women’s cricket, England’s women will play their inaugural Test match in the Caribbean, marking a first-ever tour to the West Indies as outlined in the latest Future Tours Programme (FTP). This will be a landmark event for the West Indies, who last hosted a women’s Test in 2004, and will involve not only a single Test match but also three ODIs and three T20s in April and May  2027. Remarkably, this will be the first Test between these two teams since 1979, setting the stage for a historic clash in the longest format.

From 2025 through early 2029, the FTP outlines England's commitments in women’s Tests against India, Australia, and South Africa as well. England’s captain, Heather Knight, has been a vocal advocate for expanding the women’s Test schedule, and this tour aligns with her call for increased opportunities in the red-ball game. As part of their upcoming itinerary, England will play Test series in South Africa and Australia this winter, concluding their current FTP cycle.

In a notable first, England's women are also scheduled to tour Pakistan in 2027. Although an earlier tour was planned for 2021, it was ultimately cancelled due to security concerns. This revised schedule, however, includes an August break that allows England’s players to participate in The Hundred, an essential boost for the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) prized domestic competition.

Adding another new element to the FTP, Zimbabwe joins the women's international schedule for the first time. As part of their own busy Test calendar, the West Indies will host Australia in 2026 and travel to South Africa for a Test series in 2028.

Recently stepping down, Johnny Grave, the former CEO of Cricket West Indies, suggested that the prestigious Kensington Oval in Barbados could be a possible venue for a future Test match. For the West Indies, Barbados-born all-rounder Hayley Matthews leads the side and is celebrated as a trailblazer in women’s cricket. Grave reflected on the pride Matthews brings, envisioning a future where she captains her team in the iconic maroon cap at Kensington Oval, accentuating how Test cricket fosters technical skill and all-round gameplay. 

He expressed, “Our philosophy is that red-ball cricket cultivates technique, sharpens defence, and encourages players to score across the wicket. This approach is essential for both our men’s and women’s teams.”

However, New Zealand’s absence from the women’s Test schedule has disappointed some, especially in light of their recent T20 World Cup victory, which many hoped would bring about their first Test since 2004.