We are inching closer to the start of summer, which means it is time for some great cricket matches from international events. As one of the most popular sports in the country, millions of people across the UK tune in to support England.
There are some exciting matches to look forward to as we enter July, with the Investec Test series to follow. Here is a look at England’s cricket schedule for summer 2017.
A Slow Start
The first half of summer is filled with One Day International matches or ODIs, followed by Twenty-20s. We have a total of five ODIs in May against Ireland and South Africa. These matches will be interesting to watch, especially the three we have against South Africa. Headingley, Leeds, will host the first one on May 24th. The second and third matches are scheduled for May 27th and 29th respectively.
These ODIs are quickly followed by the ICC Champions Trophy matches, which are set at the beginning of June. Our first ICC Champions Trophy match will be against Bangladesh at The Oval in London. Bangladesh has played really well in the last few matches, so they are a force that should not be taken lightly.
Heating Up
The additional two ICC Champions Matches following the first one against Bangladesh will also be challenging for the team. The first match will be against New Zealand, while the following one will be against long-time rival Australia. These are the matches most cricket fans are looking forward to this year.
Both New Zealand and Australia are above England in the Men’s ODI Team Rankings. Australia will push for more points to overtake South Africa, who is currently topping the standings. New Zealand, on the other hand, has been trying to widen the gap with England in 4th place. Whether the team can pull away remains to be seen.
We can also expect to see Steve Smith playing for the Australian cricket team, while Kane Williamson will be the core of New Zealand’s strategy in these matches. Both players are currently topping the Men’s Batting Rankings with ratings of 941 and 880 respectively. Worry not, because we have Joe Root on our team.
Women’s World Cup
We can’t talk about summer cricket without talking about the ICC Women’s World Cup. The event will start on June 26th and will run until July 23rd, featuring a whopping total of 31 matches along the way. These matches will be held inDerbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Somerset, and Lord’s, the home of cricket.
We also have several domestic events to watch too. The Royal London One-Day Cup Final will be played on July 1st, adding a different kind of excitement for cricket fans to enjoy. It will be a busy summer this year. The Summer Sports Substitutions by Ladbrokes recommends summer cricket matches as among the best things to do in the off season.