West Indies to Host Australia in 2026, Play South Africa Away in 2028

The West Indies will host a historic Test match against Australia in 2026, marking an exciting addition to the Caribbean cricket calendar, while also set to face South Africa in an away Test series in 2028. This move, spearheaded by Cricket West Indies (CWI), aims to elevate the profile of red-ball cricket for both men and women across the Caribbean region.

Johnny Grave, who recently concluded his role as chief executive of CWI, discussed the possibility of the West Indies playing at the renowned Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, adding that the choice of venue would be particularly fitting for Barbados-born all-rounder and current Windies captain Hayley Matthews.

Matthews, an icon in West Indies cricket, has become a symbol of leadership and skill in the game, and Grave believes that leading her team in a Test at the Kensington Oval would be an inspiring moment for women’s cricket.

“When you have an iconic player, who will go down in the history of our game, in Hayley Matthews, it seems right she will have the opportunity to wear a maroon Test cap and lead her team out, hopefully at her home ground of the Kensington Oval at some point in a Test,” Grave shared on the BBC’s Stumped podcast.

Grave highlighted the value of red-ball cricket in developing solid technique and an all-round scoring ability, a philosophy embraced in the men’s game and now being extended to the women’s side as well. “Our philosophy has been that red-ball cricket is where you can build your technique, hone your defense, and look to score all around the wicket.

If that is what we believe for the men, then it has to be the case for the women,” he said, underscoring CWI’s commitment to broadening opportunities for female players in the traditional format.

While the West Indies have solidified Test commitments with Australia and South Africa, the scheduling remains limited for other nations. New Zealand’s White Ferns, fresh off their T20 World Cup victory, had sparked hope for a Test match revival, with fans eager to see the team in red-ball action for the first time since 2004.

However, no Test fixtures are currently in place for the New Zealand women’s team, leaving questions about the future of Test cricket in countries beyond the established cricketing circuits.

With an eye on preserving and growing the red-ball tradition, the CWI’s renewed emphasis on Test matches could prove a pivotal influence in women’s cricket, offering a platform to showcase talent and build stronger team fundamentals.