The full international programme for 2017 will see ten different counties hosting tour matches and England Lions taking on international opposition in both red and white-ball cricket.
Sussex and Northamptonshire will each host South Africa in one-day warm-up games ahead of the three-match Royal London One-Day International series against England.
Leicestershire are also set for a T20 tour match against the same opposition subject to South Africa not being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy final. The Proteas are not scheduled to play in Cardiff during the ICC tournament unless they are runners-up in their group, but will face England at The SSE SWALEC in the third and final NatWest International T20 on June 25.
The South African Test squad’s preparations for their four match Investec Test series against England will include a three-day game against England Lions at Worcester.
The Lions are also due to take on South Africa ‘A’ in three one-day games, one at Trent Bridge and two at Northampton, before the two teams meet again in a four-day game at Canterbury. South Africa ‘A’s month-long tour will see tour match cricket return to Arundel – a ground with a long tradition of hosting international sides.
Later in the season, Essex, Kent and Derbyshire will each stage three-day tour matches against West Indies as part of the tourists’ build-up to a three match Investec Test Series against England. Leicestershire will also host the tourists in a two-day tour match if not involved in NatWest Blast T20 Finals’ Day.
ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “We’re very pleased to have agreed such a comprehensive touring programme for 2017 – a schedule which will provide fans with even more opportunities to see two international teams in action at county grounds; and help our Lions players test themselves against high quality opposition in both red and white-ball cricket.
“With this country also hosting the ICC Champions Trophy and the ICC Women’s World Cup next season, 2017 promises to be a hugely exciting summer of cricket – and a strong platform to promote our sport to an even wider and more diverse audience.”
2017 major match dates
England v Ireland Royal London ODIs
Fri 5 May 1st Royal London ODI The Brightside Ground, Bristol
Sun 7 May 2nd Royal London ODI Lord’s
South Africa Tour to UK
Fri 19 May 1-day Tour match v Sussex (D/N) 1st Central County Ground, Hove
Sun 21 May 1-day Tour match v Northants Northampton
Wed 24 May 1st Royal London ODI (D/N) Headingley
Sat 27 May 2nd Royal London ODI Ageas Bowl
BH Mon 29 May 3rd Royal London ODI Lord’s
Thu 1 – Mon 19 June ICC Champions Trophy
Sun 18 June *T20 Tour match v Leicestershire* Grace Road
Wed 21 June 1st NatWest IT20 (f) Ageas Bowl
Fri 23 June 2nd NatWest IT20 The Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton
Sun 25 June 3rd NatWest IT20 The SSE SWALEC, Cardiff
29 June-1 July 3-day v England Lions New Road
Thu 6-Mon 10 July 1st Investec Test Lord’s
Fri 14-Tue 18 July 2nd Investec Test Trent Bridge
Thu 27-Mon 31 July 3rd Investec Test Kia Oval
Fri 4-Tue 8 Aug 4th Investec Test Emirates Old Trafford
Notes:
* match cancelled if South Africa qualifies for ICC Champions Trophy Final
All tour matches to be played 11-a-side with official status
West Indies Tour to UK
Tue 1-Thu 3 Aug 3-day Tour match v Essex Chelmsford
Sun 6-Tue 8 Aug 3-day Tour match v Kent The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury
Fri 11-Sun 13 Aug 3-day Tour match v Derbyshire The 3aaa County Ground, Derby
Thu 17-Mon 21 Aug 1st Investec Test Edgbaston
Fri 25-Tue 29 Aug 2nd Investec Test Headingley
Sat 2-Sun 3 Sept +2-day tour match v Leicestershire+ The Fischer County Ground,
Grace Road
Thu 7-Mon 11 Sept 3rd Investec Test Lord’s
Wed 13 Sept ODI v Ireland Venue tbc
Sat 16 Sept NatWest IT20 (f) Emirates Riverside
Tue 19 Sept 1st Royal London ODI (D/N) Emirates Old Trafford
Thu 21 Sept 2nd Royal London ODI (D/N) Trent Bridge
Sun 24 Sept 3rd Royal London ODI The Brightside Ground, Bristol
Wed 27 Sept 4th Royal London ODI (D/N) Kia Oval
Fri 29 Sept 5th Royal London ODI (D/N) Ageas Bowl
Note:
+ match played against an ECB XI if the County qualifies for T20 Finals’ Day
All tour matches to be played 11-a-side with three-day games having First Class status
Domestic Finals
Sat 1 July Royal London One-Day Cup Final Lord’s
Sat 2 Sept NatWest T20 Blast Finals’ Day Edgbaston