International Cricket Schedule 2005 – 25/06/2004

International Cricket Schedule 2005 – 25/06/2004 The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced the international cricket schedule for the 2005 domestic cricket season. England will play a two-match npower Test Match series against Bangladesh at the start of the summer and will contest the Ashes against Australia in a five-match npower Test Series at the end of the summer. The Friday start to the second npower Test Match against Bangladesh at Durham allows for an extra day’s rest between the back-to-back Test matches. npower Kevin Peake, npower Head of Brand said, ” An England versus Australia npower Test Match series is always a highlight of the cricket calendar. Next year’s npower Test Match series against Bangladesh provides a further landmark, as not only is it their first series in England but it means that we have sponsored England matches against all Test playing nations in the world.” In between the two npower Test Series, England will play Bangladesh and Australia in the ten-match NatWest Series and this will be immediately followed by a further three one-day games against Australia in The NatWest Challenge. In advance of The NatWest Series, England will play a warm-up game against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl, after which they will play Australia in the NatWest International Twenty20 match at the same venue. The game will be sponsored by NatWest as part of its celebrations of 25 years of involvement in cricket. NatWest Steve Day, Head of NatWest Brand Strategy, commented: ” We are absolutely delighted to have secured this title sponsorship of what must surely be one of cricket’s most important games since the inception of One-Day International cricket back in 1971. NatWest has been a great innovator in the game since 1981 when it started its One-Day Cricket sponsorship and this new title sponsorship provides us with a great opportunity to be associated with a groundbreaking cricket event and will provide serious focus to our 25th Anniversary activities.” The Itinerary The full itinerary is as follows. npower Test Series v Bangladesh Thu 26- Mon 30 May 1st Test v Bangladesh Lord’s Fri 3-Tue 7 June 2nd Test v Bangladesh Durham NatWest Series Warm-up Match Sat 11 June England v Hampshire Rose Bowl NatWest International Twenty20 Match Mon 13 June England v Australia Rose Bowl The NatWest Series Thu 16 June England v Bangladesh Brit Oval Sat 18 June Australia v Bangladesh Cardiff Sun 19 June England v Australia Bristol Tue 21 June England v Bangladesh D/N Trent Bridge Thu 23 June England v Australia D/N Durham Sat 25 June Australia v Bangladesh Old Trafford Sun 26 June England v Bangladesh Headingley Tue 28 June England v Australia D/N Edgbaston Thu 30 June Australia v Bangladesh Canterbury Sat 2 July Final Lord’s The NatWest Challenge Thu 7 July England v Australia Headingley Sun 10 July England v Australia Lord’s Tue 12 July England v Australia Brit Oval npower Test Series v Australia 21-25 July 1st Test v Australia Lord’s 4-8 Aug 2nd Test v Australia Edgbaston 11-15 Aug 3rd Test v Australia Old Trafford 25-29 Aug 4th Test v Australia Trent Bridge 8-12 Sept 5th Test v Australia Brit Oval