ECB help would make women's Test a 'certainty' – West Indies

West Indies are still hopeful of hosting England in a women's Test next year, but the fixture would be a "certainty" if the ECB were to help fund it, says chief executive Chris Dehring. England have played one Test since they lost every game on the Ashes tour of Australia in early 2025 – a defeat by India at Lord's earlier this year West Indies are still hopeful of hosting England in a women's Test next year, but the landmark fixture would be a "certainty" if the England and Wales Cricket Board were to help fund it, says chief executive Chris Dehring. ECB chair Richard Thompson suggested on Monday the board could step in to help the hosts, who have recently revealed significant financial pressures, to maintain the red-ball element of the multi-format tour.

England, in part at least, want the Test to go ahead to aid their preparations for next summer's Ashes while it will be a first women's Test for West Indies since 2004. "We would welcome any assistance of our much wealthier member boards," Dehring told BBC Sport. ECB may fund women's Windies Test to aid Ashes preparation Cricket tours often involve reciprocal arrangements between boards over costs. They usually mean the home board pick up the logistical expenses of the visitors, including things like travel and