West Indies hope for more women's Tests after the ECB offers to fund one

[Kobe]

Cricket West Indies chief executive Chris Dehring hopes a planned women's Test against England goes ahead, after the ECB offered to fund it. Wisden reports that Dehring spoke on the Wisden Women's Cricket Weekly podcast. The one off home Test is pencilled in for April or May 2027

Dehring welcomed the ECB's offer. He explained that women's cricket in the Caribbean relies on money from the senior men's game, because Cricket West Indies has no separate revenue stream to fund it. That makes every women's Test a financial challenge

The wider financial picture is difficult. Cricket West Indies has made cuts, including a 25 percent pay cut for international players and suspending some domestic competitions. A planned Test against Australia earlier in 2026 was scrapped so the team could focus on preparing for the T20 World Cup

The history is striking. West Indies women last played a Test in March 2004, against Pakistan in Karachi, and have not hosted one at home since 1976, when they played Australia in their very first Test. Dehring said the England Test is budgeted, but depends on revenue and cash flow

The ECB offering to fund the match is a generous and sensible move that helps the whole game. Women's Test cricket has been growing in popularity, and the West Indies deserve the chance to take part. Hopefully this becomes the start of more regular women's Tests in the Caribbean

Should richer boards help fund Test cricket elsewhere? And would you watch a women's Test in the Caribbean?

West Indies CEO Hopes For More Womenwww.wisden.com