England's men to host more five-Test series but play some one-off games overseas

"The ECB is in favour of the so-called one-Test series solution on the grounds that it would give more opportunities to smaller nations, as well as complementing their own strategy to safeguard the oldest and longest form of the game. Internal research conducted by the ECB has shown Test cricket is the most popular format in England across all age-groups, and they want to stage more expanded series to complement those of Australia and India, who both tour for five Tests every four years."

England’s Test schedule is expected to become more lopsided, with more five-match series staged at home and more one-off Tests played overseas. The ECB is moving away from reciprocal home-and-away series planning for the next World Test Championship cycle, which starts with the home Ashes next summer. The ECB has discussed five-Test tours with South Africa and Pakistan, while future England tours to Sri Lanka and Bangladesh could include only one Test plus white-ball games. The WTC will expand to all 12 Test nations in a single division, and one-off Tests will count for the championship for the first time. England’s first Test in Zimbabwe since 1996-97 is being considered, but a tour to Afghanistan will not happen. The ECB supports one-Test series to create more opportunities for smaller nations and to protect Test cricket’s long-term future.

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