Lord's to Host Historic Women's Test Match in 2026

England will face India in the first ever women's Test match to be held at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in 2026. This landmark fixture will be a significant moment for women's cricket, showcasing the sport's growing popularity and marking a historic step towards greater equality in the game.

The match will be England's first home Test since the 2023 Ashes, which saw Australia triumph at Trent Bridge. While the 2023 Ashes match was a five-day affair, the duration of the Lord's clash is yet to be confirmed.

England's women's Test side has a recent history of facing India, having contested a Test in Mumbai in December 2023. The team is also scheduled to play a Test match in South Africa this winter. Furthermore, the upcoming away Ashes tour in 2025 will feature a Test match hosted at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Women's Test matches are relatively infrequent, often scheduled as one-off encounters within longer white-ball series. However, India has recently demonstrated a strong commitment to Test cricket, having played matches against England, South Africa, and Australia in the past three years.

Lord's has a long and storied history of hosting international white-ball matches, including England's historic World Cup victory in 2017, the Ashes T20 last year, and the T20 against New Zealand earlier this summer.

England's captain, Heather Knight, is the team's most experienced Test player, having amassed 12 Test caps. The 2026 match promises to be a thrilling contest, as the two cricketing giants go head-to-head in a historic first at Lord's. This momentous occasion represents a major step forward for women's Test cricket, with the potential to inspire a new generation of players and fans alike.