The Oval has not hosted England’s first Test of the summer since 1983 and is traditionally the venue for the final Test of the summer NIGEL KEENE/PROSPORTS/REXEngland will break with tradition next year by playing their first Test of the summer at The Oval against the West Indies. The south London ground is usually the venue for the final international of the year, as it will be this season when hosting the fifth Ashes Test in September, and next year’s series opener against West Indies will be the first time it has staged the first Test of the summer since 1983. While the final schedule has yet to be signed off The Times has seen a draft copy of next year’s international fixtures, with the West Indies playing three Test matches in June at The Oval, Edgbaston and Lord’s. A second Test series against Pakistan will take place in July and…

Source: The Times June 28, 2019 08:03 UTC