ST JOHN’S, Antigua – West Indies Women will welcome England Women to the Caribbean for an eight-match series next month.

Cricket West Indies announced the match schedule on Monday, which consists of a three-match CG United One-Day International (ODI) Series and a five-match T20 International (T20I) Series.

The CG United ODIs will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on December 4, 6 and 9. The three ODIs form part of the ICC Women’s Championship. The first T20I will also be at SVRS on December 11. The tour then moves to Barbados for four T20Is at Kensington Oval on December 14, 17, 18 and 22.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews is looking forward to the upcoming home series as both teams will look to use the series as part of their preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be played in South Africa early next year.

“We are really looking forward to this series against England. It will be hugely important for us. I’m hoping we can pick up some points in the ICC Women’s Championship as we take on a strong opposition at home,” she said

“We also have our eyes on the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa. It is always a big thing playing in a World Cup and this will be my first as captain so I will look to lead from the front. We will go in looking to play really good cricket and give it all we have,” she added.

The eighth edition of the marquee event will begin on February 10 next year, with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. Cape Town, Paarl and Gqeberha will host the matches in the tournament with the knockout matches set to be played in Cape Town. The final will be held on February 26.

The 10 teams will be drawn in two groups as follows: Group 1 – Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; Group 2: England, India, West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland.