ECB plan to stage England men’s internationals at nine different venues in 2021 – in front of spectators

A full calendar of men’s fixtures and one women’s series were salvaged this year despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

But the necessities of the bio-secure bubble meant every game was held behind closed doors.

Furthermore, just three venues staged matches, with Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl and the Emirates Old Trafford used for men’s internationals and all five T20s against West Indies Women played at Derby.

The ECB was always reluctant to resume with those restrictions, though, and has now issued a draft itinerary for 2021 which includes nine different host grounds and – crucially – a ticket ballot that anticipates live crowds being permitted.

The main event of the summer is a five Test series against India in August and September, with Trent Bridge, Lord’s, Headingley, the Oval and Old Trafford hosting, with white-ball series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan scheduled throughout June and July.

Matches will also be held at Durham, Edgbaston, Bristol and Cardiff.

Uncertainty around the staging of the World Test Championship Final, and England’s potential qualification, means further games could yet be added, including additional fixtures against Sri Lanka before the first listed international on June 29.

The Ageas Bowl, which does not appear in the initial allocation despite its integral role in 2020, when it hosted three Tests and three ODIs, would be first in line.

Tom Harrison, chief executive of the ECB, said: ‘It’s an exciting prospect for England fans and, while Covid means there’s still a great deal of uncertainty, we really hope to be able to welcome fans back into the grounds safely next year to bring that unique atmosphere to stadia across the country.’

Dates and venues have yet to be fixed for Heather Knight’s side, but the ECB says South Africa and New Zealand are both expected to travel for 50 and 20-over series, while the visually impaired team will return to the field against Ashes rivals Australia.

The remainder of the 2021 campaign is also taking shape, with England having confirmed a brief trip to Pakistan in October, ending a 16-year absence due to longstanding security concerns.

A limited-overs tour in early 2021 had been proposed, but scheduling issues forced the ECB to agree a later date.

England will arrive in Karachi on October 12, playing two T20s on October 14 and 15 before both teams depart for India ahead of the T20 World Cup.

It will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan, and only the third time since 1987 - a series remembered for England captain Mike Gatting’s on-field bust-up with umpire Shakoor Rana.

Provisional 2021 England men’s home internationals

V Sri Lanka (ODI)

Tue 29 June – England v Sri Lanka, Emirates Riverside, Durham

Thu 1 July – England v Sri Lanka, Kia Oval

Sun 4 July – England v Sri Lanka, Bristol

V Pakistan (ODI)

Thu 8 July – England v Pakistan, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

Sat 10 July – England v Pakistan, Lord’s

Tue 13 July – England v Pakistan, Edgbaston

Vitality IT20 Series

Fri 16 July – England v Pakistan, Trent Bridge

Sun 18 July – England v Pakistan, Emerald Headingley

Tue 20 July – England v Pakistan, Emirates Old Trafford

v India (Tests)

Wed 4-8 Aug – England v India, Trent Bridge

Thu 12-16 Aug – England v India, Lord’s

Wed 25-29 Aug – England v India, Emerald Headingley

Thu 2-6 Sept – England v India, Kia Oval

Fri 10-14 Sept – England v India, Old Trafford