LONDON, England, CMC – West Indies will play England in two Twenty20 Internationals next month, as the England and Wales Cricket Board moves to fulfill their television obligations to Sky, following the collapse of the Stanford Super Series deal.
The two matches will be played on September 23 and 25 at the historic Oval, with the Windies scheduled to move on to Bangladesh afterward for a tour comprising two Tests and three One-day Internationals.
Reports indicate that the matches could become an annual event until the broadcasting rights deal between the ECB and Sky expires in two years time.
Richard Gould, chief executive of the Oval-based Surrey, said he was delighted to be hosting the Windies.
“Surrey CCC is really pleased to be able to host these games at the Kia Oval in what will be a colourful and exciting end to the international summer,” he said.
“T20 cricket is very popular at the Kia Oval, as we have seen this year, with record breaking crowds coming to see the Surrey Lions. “We want both games to be played in a friendly party atmosphere with a large turnout from local residents in Lambeth and London.”
The games will come one week after England conclude their five-match ODI series against India in Cardiff and senior marketing manager of sponsors NatWest, Dominic Warne said he believed the T20s would be a thrilling climax to the summer itinerary.
“With England hosting the West Indies, we feel this will provide a great opportunity for more fans to enjoy what we believe will be an exciting finale to this summer’s international programme,” he said.
West Indies will have fond memories of their last clash with England in a T20 at the Oval, when they beat the hosts by five wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis method in a thrilling encounter during the World Twenty20 Championship two years ago.