The England and Wales Cricket Board has paved the way for a return to normality next summer, planning for the return of fans at international fixtures and taking the sport across the country once again.
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 Emirates Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl 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.