DY Patil Stadium to host England Women’s Test Match in December after 9 years

DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is set to host an England women’s Test match in December after a gap of nearly nine years, as part of England’s tour of India, with the confirmation pending from the authorities.

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The iconic DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is scheduled to host a women’s Test match after a hiatus of nearly nine years, with England set to play a four-day game there from December 14 to 17, according to reports.

In December, England will embark on a tour of India, featuring three T20Is and a Test match, and all matches are slated to be held in the state of Maharashtra.

The T20Is are slated to take place at the Wankhede Stadium on December 6, 9, and 10, with consecutive weekend games planned to maximize attendance. The Test match will be hosted at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai from December 14.

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In addition to these matches, the tour is expected to include an England A series in Mumbai, likely featuring three T20s in Mumbai starting in late November.

However, while the dates have been reported, they have yet to be officially confirmed by the cricket association and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Official announcements are awaited and will be made public in due course.

England’s women’s team last toured India in 2019, losing 2-1 in the ODI series at the Wankhede before winning the T20I series 3-0 in Guwahati.

The state of Maharashtra has emerged as a prominent hub for women’s cricketers, having hosted the entire first season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at two venues in Maharashtra – the Brabourne Stadium, which is adjacent to the Wankhede, and the DY Patil Stadium. The state has been instrumental in nurturing young talent with improved facilities.

Following England’s tour, the Australian women’s team will visit India, and as per Code Sports, the Test and ODI matches of that series will be staged at the Wankhede, with the T20Is set to be held at DY Patil.

The England women’s team last played a Test match in India in 2005, and India has hosted only one women’s Test match in the 18 years since, which resulted in an innings win for India over South Africa in 2014. Two years ago, the Indian women’s team played their first Tests, drawing matches against England and Australia.

This series will mark the debut for Amol Muzumdar, who was appointed as the head coach of the Indian Women’s team on Wednesday evening.

-IANS