THE first women’s Test match to be held at Lord’s will take place next July when England take on India over four days.

The dates for the historic fixture, England’s first home Test since the 2023 Ashes, were announced today as part of the full 2026 home schedule for both the men’s and women’s teams.

England Women’s last home Test ended in defeat to Australia at Trent Bridge in a match that was played over five days, but it has been confirmed that the India game will revert to the usual women’s format of four days, played from July 10-13.

Nat Sciver-Brunt’s team will first face New Zealand in a series comprising three one-day internationals and three T20s in May before the arrival of India, who will play three T20s in late May and early June as a final warm-up for the T20 World Cup, staged in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5.

The women’s team will also host Ireland for a three-match ODI series in early September.