England arrange Essex Ashes warm-up

England will play a four-day warm-up match against Essex as part of their preparations for the 2013 Ashes. The arrangement mirrors the three-day fixture played by an England XI against Warwickshire ahead of the Australia series in 2009.

The match at Essex's county ground in Chelmsford will take place from June 30 until July 3, with the first Test against Australia at Trent Bridge due to start a week later, on July 10.

Hugh Morris, managing director of England cricket, said: "Our three-day match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston in 2009 provided excellent preparation for the Test squad ahead of the Ashes Test series and we are very grateful to Essex for providing us with a similar warm-up fixture next summer during a period when there is a break in the County Championship schedule."

The ECB has also announced dates and venues for the finals of next summer's domestic cup competitions. The Friends Life t20 will culminate in Edgbaston hosting finals day on August 17, while the Clydesdale Bank 40 final will take place at Lord's on September 21.