Floodlit internationals for first time in England

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) today announced that floodlit One-Day Internationals will be staged for the first time in England next summer as part of the international schedule for the 2000 season.

England will play two Cornhill Test Matches against Zimbabwe and five Cornhill Test Matches against the West Indies next summer. England, West Indies and Zimbabwe will also compete in a triangular One-Day International series with the final to be held at Lord's.

The three day/night matches in the Triangular One-Day series will be staged at Bristol (West Indies v Zimbabwe), Old Trafford (England v Zimbabwe) and Edgbaston (England v Zimbabwe).

Channel 4 will transmit Zimbabwe's First Cornhill Test match in this country against England at Lord's (May 18-22) with Sky showing the Second Cornhill Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge (June 1-5).

All five Cornhill Test Matches between England and West Indies will be shown on Channel 4 with Sky providing coverage of the Triangular One-Day series due to be held in mid-summer.

Announcing the schedule, ECB Chief Executive Tim Lamb said: "2000 will see the biggest ever international programme staged in this country with three new venues hosting One-Day games and day/night matches being played for the first time.

"Floodlit cricket in the CGU National Cricket League is already attracting many new converts to the game and its introduction into the international programme will hopefully accelerate this trend still further."

1st Test 18-22 May Zimbabwe - Lord's

2nd Test 1-5 June Zimbabwe - Trent Bridge

1st Test 15-19 June West Indies - Edgbaston

2nd Test 29 June- 3 July West Indies - Lord's

3rd Test 3-7 August West Indies - Old Trafford

4th Test 17-21 August West Indies - Headingley

5th Test 31 Aug - 4 Sep West Indies - The Foster's Oval

Thurs July 6 West Indies v Zimbabwe Bristol (D/N)

Sat July 8 England v Zimbabwe - The Foster's Oval

Sun July 9 England v West Indies - Lord's

Tue July 11 West Indies v Zimbabwe - Canterbury

Thurs July 13 England v Zimbabwe - Old Trafford (D/N)

Sat July 15 England v West Indies - Chester le Street

Sun July 16 West Indies v Zimbabwe - Chester le Street

Tue July 18 England v Zimbabwe - Edgbaston (D/N)

Thurs July 20 England v West Indies - Trent Bridge

Sat July 22 FINAL - Lord's

* D/N = Day/Night fixture