England cricket's year ahead - Hospitality Finder

England’s cricketers begin 2021 knowing this year could see them build on the ODI World Cup success of 2019 and potentially end the year as IT20 World Champions, Ashes Winners and the number one ranked Test side in the world.

In a year packed full of Test, ODI and IT20 cricket, the challenge facing the England cricket team is certainly an exciting prospect for fans. With the likes of Joe Root, Eoin Morgan, Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes in the English ranks, there is much cause for confidence, however, the Tour to India (February/March) and the Ashes Tour to Australia (December-January) represent what many cricket aficionados pronounce to be the most challenging Tours an English cricketer will face.

First up though was a trip to Sri Lanka where England played two Test Matches before embarking upon their Tour to India. The last time England toured Sri Lanka in 2018/19 they completed a thoroughly impressive 3-0 victory and they will be hoping to put on a similar display in January 2021. The Tour started well with England running out comprehensive victors in the first Test Match. Captain Joe Root scoring a magnificent 228, the largest run score for any Englishman in Sri Lanka, and spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach each took five wickets in the first and second innings respectively. With a second century for Joe Root and six first innings wickets for James Anderson, England cantered to a dominant victory in the second Test Match. The year has started well for England, with key players showing good form early in the year and with their next hosts India having just inflicted the first Australian defeat at The Gabba since 1988 to clinch a 2-1 series victory, India are shaping up to be as tough a test as ever.

England’s record in India, however, is not so impressive – they lost the Test Series 4-0 on their last Tour in 2016/17 and if they are to achieve victory against the likes of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami, they will certainly need to raise their game and adapt to the hot, dry Indian conditions. A Test Series victory in India is a serious feather in the cap for any touring side, with only two English teams having been victorious in India in the last 40 years.

Tours to Sri Lanka and India, however, are just the precursor for what all England cricket fans have been waiting for…the Summer visits of Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India to English shores and the expected return of fans to iconic venues like The Kia Oval, Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and Edgbaston. In addition, the ECB have recently announced that fans will have even more cricket to look forward to, with two additional Test Matches against the world’s number one ranked team New Zealand and three international T20’s against Sri Lanka.

The summer is set to be a feast of international cricket, as venues up and down the country host an exciting mix of Test, ODI and IT20 cricket. So, whether you’re up in Durham or down in Southampton there’s an England match for you and we’re thrilled to offer hospitality at no fewer than nine top-class cricket venues in 2021! Experience cricket without boundaries this summer including the return of the infamous Green Room to the Kia Oval for the Sri Lanka ODI in July and the India Test Match in September. Enjoy banter from the likes of Darren Gough and Michael Vaughan OBE as you soak up the legendary hospitality and atmosphere from one of the best views in the house.