ECB could fund Women’s Test in West Indies

The England and Wales Cricket Board could help fund next year's scheduled Women's Test against West Indies in the Caribbean. ECB chair Richard Thompson stated the board is willing to examine funding options to protect England's preparations ahead of the upcoming Women's Ashes series, which begins with a Test match at Headingley in June.

The potential intervention follows severe cost-cutting measures by Cricket West Indies, which recently introduced a 25% pay cut for players and suspended domestic competitions. CWI chief executive Chris Dehring cited significant financial pressures, including travel costs and terms tied to a $16 million ICC loan, while Thompson pointed to the ECB's past tour-fee support for Zimbabwe as a possible precedent.