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Lord's to host women's Test for first time in 2026

By AAP Newswire

Aug 22, 2024

Host Lord's women;s Test — Lord's, which staged the women's World Cup final in 2017, is to host its first women's Test. -AP

Lord's will stage a women's Test match for the first time when England host India at the home of cricket in 2026.

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The storied London venue has hosted England women's games in limited-overs formats in each of the last three seasons, and has also staged the historic 2017 World Cup final win -- but never a Test match.

It has yet to be announced whether the India Test will be a four or five-day contest.

"Young girls playing up and down the country can now aspire to play test match cricket at the home of cricket," said former England player Claire Taylor, chair of the Marylebone Cricket Club's cricket committee.

"It is a clear demonstration that cricket is a game for all."

Richard Gould, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said it will be a "truly special occasion, and one of real significance for the game."

It will be England women's first home Test since the 2023 Ashes, when Australia won at Trent Bridge over five days.

Heather Knight's England faced India in Mumbai last year, and will also travel to South Africa this winter to play another.

They will then also play a Test during the Ashes tour in Australia 2025 at the MCG.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press