Sri Lanka to visit Grace Road in 2016
Tue 25 Aug 2015
The ECB today announced next summer’s international programme with England set to face a dual sub-continental challenge from Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Leicestershire CCC is delighted to announce that Grace Road will host a three-day game against Sri Lanka from Friday May 13 to Sunday May 15, which will be the second match of the tour.
It will be the first chance for Leicestershire Members and supporters to see the full Sri Lanka side since they played an ICC World Cup warm-up game at Leicester in 1999.
On that occasion, Sri Lanka won a match that was reduced to 25 overs after good performances by Aravinda de Silva and Chaminda Vaas.
Sri Lanka are now captained by Angelo Mathews (pictured) and they are currently playing in an entertaining test series against India.
Interest in next summer’s international programme has been heightened by England’s recent Ashes triumph and the home side will have an early sight of one half of next summer’s opposition when they take on Pakistan in the UAE this autumn.
Pakistan will be touring this country for the first time since 2010 and will contest four Investec Test Matches, five Royal London One-Day Internationals and a NatWest International T20 in the second half of the summer.
The international season will start with England seeking to avenge last year’s 1-0 Investec Test series defeat and 3-2 Royal London ODI series defeat against the Sri Lankans who are currently the world’s number one ranked side in T20 international cricket.
ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “Alastair Cook was absolutely right to acknowledge the contribution of England’s fans to our Ashes success.
“They have been unwavering in their support this summer and we would urge as many as possible to return to our international venues next summer – and get behind our men’s and women’s teams in large numbers once again.
”Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka will also attract strong support from their own communities in this country which all adds up to another exciting summer of international action played in front of packed houses for all three formats of the game.”
The first part of the international season will have a strong northern flavour with Headingley and Emirates Durham ICG both hosting Investec Test Matches against Sri Lanka before the three-match series concludes at Lord’s.
Trent Bridge, Edgbaston, Bristol, The Kia Oval and the SSE SWALEC, Cardiff will then all stage Royal London ODIs against Sri Lanka before a NatWest International T20 ‘double-header’ – which will also feature England women taking on Pakistan women – rounds off the tour at The Ageas Bowl.
Lord’s will host the opening clash in England’s four-match Investec Test series against Pakistan with Emirates Old Trafford, Edgbaston and The Kia Oval all set to host Investec Test Matches against the tourists.
Pakistan’s tour will then conclude with The Ageas Bowl, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, Headingley and SSE SWALEC, Cardiff staging Royal London One-Day Internationals and Emirates Old Trafford staging the final international action of the summer; a NatWest International T20.
2016 –Tour Dates:
Sri Lanka
| Sun 8-Tue 10 May | 3-day v Essex | Chelmsford |
| Fri 13-Sun 15 May | 3-day v Leicestershire | Grace Road |
| Thu 19-Mon 23 May | 1st Investec Test | Headingley |
| Fri 27-Tues 31 May | 2nd Investec Test | Emirates Durham ICG |
| Thu 9-Mon 13 June | 3rd Investec Test | Lord's |
| Thu 16 June | 1st ODI v Ireland | Venue tbc |
| Sat 18 June | 2nd ODI v Ireland | Venue tbc |
| Tue 21 June | 1st Royal London ODI D/N | Trent Bridge |
| Fri 24 June | 2nd Royal London ODI D/N | Edgbaston |
| Sun 26 June | 3rd Royal London ODI | Bristol |
| Wed 29 June | 4th Royal London ODI D/N | Kia Oval |
| Sat 2 July | 5th Royal London ODI | SSE SWALEC, Cardiff |
| Tue 5 July | NatWest IT20 (f) | Ageas Bowl |
Pakistan
| Sun 3-Tue 5 July | 3-day v Somerset | Taunton |
| Fri 8-Sun 10 July | 3-day v Sussex | Hove |
| Thu 14-Mon 18 July | 1st Investec Test | Lord's |
| Fri 22-Tue 26 July | 2nd Investec Test | Emirates Old Trafford |
| Fri 29-Sat 30 July | 2-day v Worcestershire | New Road |
| Wed 3-Sun 7 Aug | 3rd Investec Test | Edgbaston |
| Thu 11-Mon 15 Aug | 4th Investec Test | Kia Oval |
| Thu 18 Aug | 1st ODI v Ireland | Venue tbc |
| Sat 20 Aug | 2nd ODI v Ireland | Venue tbc |
| Wed 24 Aug | 1st Royal London ODI D/N | Ageas Bowl |
| Sat 27 Aug | 2nd Royal London ODI | Lord's |
| Tue 30 Aug | 3rd Royal London ODI D/N | Trent Bridge |
| Thu 1 Sept | 4th Royal London ODI D/N | Headingley |
| Sun 4 Sept | 5th Royal London ODI | SSE SWALEC, Cardiff |
| Wed 7 Sept | NatWest IT20 (f) | Emirates Old Trafford |
