Women to face West Indies

England women will play two games against West Indies in July © Getty Images

Buy this photo

England women will play two additional one-day internationals against West Indies in July.

Both full international matches will be played at Loughborough University on July 11 and 12 2008.

The additional matches are being played so West Indies can reach their required quota in order to qualify to play one-day internationals.

West Indies have qualified for the ICC women’s World Cup to be held in Australia next March and also the inaugural ICC women’s World Twenty20 to be held in England in June 2009.

Head of women’s cricket, Clare Connor commented: “We’re really pleased to be able to play these two additional international matches against West Indies. It’s great to be able to help them with their qualification, but it also gives England vital preparation for the forthcoming series against South Africa and India.

“Playing two more ODIs also stands England in good stead as they prepare for the ICC women’s World Cup in Australia in 2009.

”The two teams were due to meet in the 2005 World Cup but the rain intervened. The two teams have therefore not met since 1993.

“With their integration into the West Indies Cricket Board now complete and with Sherwin Campbell at the helm as head coach, we are keen to see how they have developed.

“There is every chance that we may face them at the ICC World Cup in Australia next year or at the ICC World Twenty20 in June here in England; these two ODIs will therefore act as good preparation in case we come up against them at those global tournaments.”