ECB announce 2005 international schedule

The ECB has announced the international cricket schedule for the 2005 domestic cricket season.

England will play a two-match npower Test series against Bangladesh at the start of the summer and will contest the Ashes against Australia in a five-match npower Test Series at the end of the summer.

The Friday start to the second npower Test against Bangladesh at Durham allows for an extra day’s rest between the back-to-back Test matches.

Kevin Peake, npower Head of Brand said: “An England versus Australia npower Test Match series is always a highlight of the cricket calendar. Next year's npower Test Match series against Bangladesh provides a further landmark, as not only is it their first series in England but it means that we have sponsored England matches against all Test playing nations in the world.”

In between the two npower Test Series, England will play Bangladesh and Australia in the 10-match NatWest Series and this will be immediately followed by a further three one-day games against Australia in The NatWest Challenge.

In advance of The NatWest Series, England will play a warm-up game against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl, after which they will play Australia in the NatWest International Twenty20 match at the same venue. The game will be sponsored by NatWest as part of its celebrations of 25 years of involvement in cricket.

Steve Day, Head of NatWest Brand Strategy, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured this title sponsorship of what must surely be one of cricket’s most important games since the inception of One-Day International cricket back in 1971.

"NatWest has been a great innovator in the game since 1981 when it started its One-Day Cricket sponsorship and this new title sponsorship provides us with a great opportunity to be associated with a groundbreaking cricket event and will provide serious focus to our 25th Anniversary activities.”

The full 2005 schedule is as follows:

npower Test Series v Bangladesh
Thu 26- Mon 30 May, 1st Test v Bangladesh, Lord’s
Fri 3-Tue 7 June, 2nd Test v Bangladesh, Durham

NatWest Series warm-up match
Sat 11 June, England v Hampshire, Rose Bowl

NatWest International Twenty20 match
Mon 13 June, England v Australia, Rose Bowl

The NatWest Series
Thu 16 June, England v Bangladesh, The Brit Oval
Sat 18 June, Australia v Bangladesh, Cardiff
Sun 19 June, England v Australia, Bristol
Tue 21 June, England v Bangladesh (D/N), Trent Bridge
Thu 23 June, England v Australia (D/N), Durham
Sat 25 June, Australia v Bangladesh, Old Trafford
Sun 26 June, England v Bangladesh, Headingley
Tue 28 June, England v Australia (D/N), Edgbaston
Thu 30 June, Australia v Bangladesh, Canterbury
Sat 2 July, Final, Lord’s
The NatWest Challenge
Thu 7 July, England v Australia, Headingley
Sun 10 July, England v Australia, Lord’s
Tue 12 July, England v Australia, The Brit Oval
npower Test Series v Australia
21-25 July, 1st Test v Australia, Lord’s
4-8 Aug, 2nd Test v Australia, Edgbaston
11-15 Aug, 3rd Test v Australia, Old Trafford
25-29 Aug, 4th Test v Australia, Trent Bridge
8-12 Sept, 5th Test v Australia, Brit Oval

Ticket information:

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