West Indies given short build-up

Brian Lara's team will have to hit their straps quickly in England © Getty Images

West Indies have been given just one first-class match to prepare for their opening Test against England on May 17. They will face Somerset in a three-day clash at Taunton from May 12.

The short build-up is a result of the World Cup, which only ends on April 28, so if West Indies reach the final they'll be unable to travel to England before the beginning of May. West Indies' tour includes four Tests, two Twenty20 Internationals and three ODIs

India, the second tourists of the season, have a slightly longer run-in to the Test series facing Sussex in a four-day match and England A in a three-day game at Chelmsford.

Their three-Test series starts at Lord's on July 19. India are also pencilled into play Scotland, at Glasgow, on August 16 but this fixture is still be confirmed. They then play a seven-match one-day series.

Sri Lanka A are the third set of visitors during the season, their nine-match tour starting on July 10 with a two-day encounter against MCC at Arundel.