There are 20 men’s international fixtures in England this summer. Here I pick out the five stand out occasions that I’m most excited about. Each of the five matches highlighted features at least one of the four visiting teams in New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India in their bilateral tours of England for 2021.
I show why the teams meeting at that specific venue on a certain date is special. Excuse the London bias, but it is hard not to get excited about matches at prestigious venues in the English capital, especially after there was a complete absence of international cricket in London last year due to COVID-19 logistics.
Key Dates
England vs New Zealand 1st Test at Lord’s, London
2nd till 6th June – New Zealand are returning to Lord’s for the first time since their dramatic loss in the World Cup final two years previously. This will be the first time Lord’s are hosting international cricket since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Black Caps haven’t played a Test Match at the Home of Cricket since May 2015.
India vs New Zealand ICC World Test Championship final at Ageas Bowl, Southampton
18th till 22nd June – A world final in the traditional format which is the first of its kind and a neutral Test Match being hosted by a country universally accepted as the home of Test Cricket. Two non-Ashes sides locking horns makes it an appealing occasion as neither side have a really marquee series to strive towards in Test Cricket bilaterally, in the way Australia and England do. This is their big moment in Test Cricket, if you like. Also, the fact it is one Asian team playing a non-Asian team and one big three nation playing a non-big three nation makes it a fascinating match up.
It is a tough game to call as neither India or New Zealand have outstanding Test records in England compared to the likes of Australia, South Africa and Pakistan. They are at number 5 and 6 respectively for most wins from visiting sides in England including occasional neutral Tests England have hosted. Neither side have had much luck in winning finals in white ball global tournaments in recent events either, when it comes to getting over the line to win trophies in high profile fixtures at the business end of a competition. The above factors make this an even more unmissable encounter.
England vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI at the Kennington Oval, London
1st July – Kennington Oval hosts international cricket for the first time since the pandemic with impressive redeveloped stands near the Laker balcony. Sri Lanka enjoy playing here; having won matches against Australia and England here in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy and they beat India here in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy too. The Islanders also won their first of three Test Matches in England in 1998 at The Oval and beat England in a stand alone T20 international here in 2014.
England vs Pakistan 2nd ODI at Lord’s, London
10th July – The only international white ball fixture that Lord’s will host in 2021. Pakistan play England in a bilateral contest at Lord’s after 3 years. The men in green won their previous Test Match here in May 2018 by 9 wickets. This is England’s first ODI appearance at the ground since 14th July 2019 and the unforgettable 12th ICC Cricket World Cup final. It is England’s first ODI at Lord’s as world champions ever.
England vs India 4th Test at The Oval, London
2nd till 6th September – India will be looking to win their first Test at The Oval in 50 years. The historic ground will host the penultimate Test of the Pataudi Trophy for 2021.
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