AS the women’s Ashes builds towards an exciting climax, the England and Wales Cricket Board today announced the summer 2018 international fixtures for the England women’s team.

Gloucestershire Cricket is delighted to announce that the World Cup winners will play at The Brightside Ground, Bristol, on Thursday, June 28, as part of an IT20 Tri-Series.

One year on from lifting the trophy on an historic day in front of a packed house at Lord’s, England will face World Cup semi-finalists South Africa before taking on long-time rivals New Zealand.

Looking ahead to the summer Clare Connor, ECB Director of Women’s Cricket said: “We are very excited to be staging two different series against high class opposition next summer with an expanded fixture list reflecting increased spectator interest in watching the England women’s team in action.

“Last summer’s World Cup success must be the watershed moment for our game that everyone is saying it could be. We will measure that through on-pitch performances, ticket sales, numbers of viewers and listeners and our ability to attract new fans and participants.

The 2018 schedule is an exciting one across both white ball formats and will ensure that more people around the country have the chance to watch the team.

“Both South Africa and New Zealand will be tough tests for England and we can expect a competitive and exciting summer of cricket ahead in both formats.”