This article was first published 22 years ago

England face hectic 2004

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England will host three Tests against New Zealand and four against the West Indies next season in a hectic 2004 schedule announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday.

The schedule kicks-off with the series against New Zealand in May and June. The three matches will take place in three-and-a-half weeks with only two days between the end of the second Test and the start of the third.

Sandwiched between the two Test series will be a triangular one-day series involving all three teams, one of two such series England will play.

The opponents for the second one-day series will be confirmed next month, but the ECB said the tournament had been moved back to late August/early September to allow England to use it as preparation for the Champions Trophy.

England will host the Champions Trophy for the first time from September 8 to 25 next year.

SCHEDULE:

Test Series v New Zealand
20-24 May - 1st Test, Lord's
3-7 June - 2nd Test, Headingley
10-14 June - 3rd Test Trent Bridge

NatWest Series
24 June - England v New Zealand (d/n), Old Trafford
26 June - New Zealand v West Indies, Edgbaston
27 June - England v West Indies, Trent Bridge
29 June - England v New Zealand (d/n), Durham
1 July - England v West Indies (d/n), TBC
3 July - New Zealand v West Indies, Cardiff
4 July - England v New Zealand, Bristol
6 July - England v West Indies, Lord's
8 July - New Zealand v West Indies, Rose Bowl
10 July - Final, Lord's
11 July - Reserve day

Test Series v West Indies
22-26 July - 1st Test, Lord's
29-2 Aug - 2nd Test, Edgbaston
12-16 Aug - 3rd Test, Old Trafford
19-23 Aug - 4th Test, AMP Oval

NatWest Challenge - opposition to be confirmed
31 Aug - 1st ODI TBC
2 Sept - 2nd ODI TBC
4 Sept - 3rd ODI TBC

ICC Champions Trophy - match schedule and three staging grounds to be confirmed. Opening match 8 Sept; Final 25 Sept