The Incora County Ground has been named as the exclusive venue for a five-match England Women’s Vitality IT20 series against West Indies in September.
At the initial outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reiterated their commitment to their women’s and girls’ agenda, and made international cricket for England Women a key objective to deliver during the pandemic.
Derbyshire has since hosted a number of key international training camps at The Incora County Ground to facilitate the international summer, including an England Women’s training week earlier in August.
The five-match series will be played behind closed doors in a bio-secure environment. It will replace scheduled series against India and South Africa after both teams were unavailable to travel due to COVID-19.
The third IT20 on Saturday September 26 will be simulcast live on the BBC and Sky Sports, the first time women’s international cricket in the UK has been on free-to-air television since the 1993 Women’s World Cup final.
Monday September 21: 1st Vitality IT20, England v West Indies (Sky Sports, 6pm)
Wednesday September 23: 2nd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies (Sky Sports, 6pm)
Saturday September 26: 3rd Vitality IT20, England v West Indies (Sky Sports, BBC)
Monday September 28: 4th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies (Sky Sports, 6pm)
Wednesday September 30: 5th Vitality IT20, England v West Indies (Sky Sports, 6pm)
Derbyshire’s Chief Executive, Ryan Duckett, said: “The Incora County Ground has become a leading venue in hosting women’s international cricket, including a number of England internationals, as well as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017.
“The appetite for the women’s game continues to grow and we’re looking forward to playing our part in staging high-profile matches this summer.
“Our off-field team and groundstaff have worked tirelessly throughout the summer to provide bio-secure training camps for visiting international teams and it will be greatly rewarding to round-off the season with a televised T20 series.
ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “It’s so pleasing after many months of work and communication with colleagues across the international game that we are now able to confirm international cricket for England Women this summer.
“We’re grateful to the West Indies for the pace and determination with which they have worked with us over the last couple of weeks.
“It’s fantastic for the visibility of the women’s game that the third IT20 will be simulcast live on the BBC and Sky Sports and I hope that it’s an event that catches the attention of some new fans.
“We’re all still adapting and will need to continue to adapt to the sporting landscape left by COVID-19. That does not mean that we will give any less focus to the women’s and girls’ game and we’re totally committed to continuing our ambitions in that area.”
Vitality Blast is back! Derbyshire Falcons return to Twenty20 action with ten North Group matches in search of the knockout stages. Follow every game live on our match centre at derbyshireccc.com. Derbyshire Falcons: Underestimated No More.
