England may host tri women cricket series

England’s women could host a tri-series featuring India and South Africa later this summer, according to director of cricket Clare Connor.

India’s tour, scheduled for June and July, was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, while South Africa are due to travel in September.

“We’re optimistic of holding at least one series,” Connor told BBC Sport.

“It could be that we play the two series concurrently and look at a tri-series. Everything is possible.”

England’s men began training this week and the women are planning a return on about 22 June.

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A revamped men’s schedule, involving games behind closed doors, is due to be released by the end of May, with Connor explaining that women’s fixtures have been involved in the discussions around holding fixtures in a ‘bio-secure’ environment.

“We need to get a lot of men’s Test cricket played. We are completely integrated in those conversations around medical provisions, logistics, how venues and hotels would work, what the procedures would be,” said the former England captain.

“We’re keeping all scenarios open. It could be India first, followed by South Africa. It could be both at the same time. One thing we don’t know for definite is if those teams want to come and will feel safe in coming.”