England captain Joe Root and West Indies captain Jason Holder have been involved in talks over rescheduling a three-Test series between the two sides later this summer.
The Daily Telegraph has reported that England could start their three-Test series against the West Indies on July 8, with an ECB spokesperson confirmed discussions with Cricket West Indies continued this week.
“Positive ongoing discussions with the ECB and CWI continued on Friday,” a spokesperson said. “Both boards were represented consisting of captains, coaches, administrators, and the chief medical officers from the respective boards.
“Meetings will be ongoing over the next few months to reach an outcome of when international cricket could potentially return. This is a long and detailed process and is very much in the early stages of planning. The guidance from the Government will emphasize what we can do.”
England completed a tour of South Africa in mid-February before heading to Sri Lanka the following month, but that trip was cut midway through the match against the Sri Lanka Board Presidents XI as England headed home due to growing concerns over the pandemic.
The three-Test series against the West Indies was originally due to begin on June 4 at the Kia Oval before Australia arrived for white-ball cricket in July. Pakistan was then due to play three Tests against England in August.
The reported plan to start the series against the West Indies on July 8 would allow players to participate in a handful of warm-up matches, assuming the current suspension is lifted at the start of July.
The series against Pakistan could then begin a few days later than planned on August 5, with the three ODIs and three T20I matches with Australia moved to September.
