2010 will be a busy summer for test cricket in England. As well as the home side playing test series against Bangladesh and Pakistan, two tests between Pakistan and Australia will be played on English soil.
England v Bangladesh Test Series 2010
First Test: 27-31 May at Lord's
Second Test: 4-8 June at Old Trafford
England v Pakistan Test Series 2010
First Test: 29 July - 2 August at Trent Bridge
Second Test: 6-10 August at Edgbaston
Third Test: 18-22 August at The Oval
Fourth Test: 26-30 August at Lord's
Pakistan v Australia Test Series 2010
First Test: 13-17 July at Lord's
Second Test: 21-25 July at Headingley
Test Venues in England for 2010
Lord's, St John's Wood, London
Built: 1814 / Capacity: 30,000
Playing a test match at Lord's, the home of cricket, is seen as a high point in any cricketer's career. The ground has been modernised in recent times but still retains a unique charm and aura. All visiting teams relish the opportunity to set foot on the famous turf and tours of the ground are very popular with the public.
Old Trafford, Stretford, Manchester
Built: 1857 / Capacity: 19,000
Sharing its name with the nearby home of Manchester United football club, Old Trafford cricket ground is the home of Lancashire Cricket Club. It has hosted Tests since 1884 but in recent years has dropped down the pecking order of Test grounds in England, not being selected for an Ashes test in the 2009 series. Improvements are ongoing and the Bangladesh match will be an opportunity for Old Trafford to raise its profile once again.
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Built: 1841 / Capacity: 17,000
Always a popular and stylish venue, recent developments to the ground have given Trent Bridge a modern feel without diminishing its personality. The intimate nature of the ground leaves the spectator close to the action and it is regarded as one of the best viewing arenas in England.
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Built: 1882 / Capacity: 22,000
Attracting perhaps the most vociferous home support in England, Edgbaston is set in a verdant suburb of Birmingham. It has become a regular on the Test match calender and creates an intense playing and spectating experience.
The Oval, Kennington, London
Built: 1845 / Capacity: 23,500
Home to the first ever Test match in England in 1880 when the hosts defeated Australia by five wickets, the Oval is steeped in history. Gasometers set to the east create a striking urban backdrop and heavy investment in the past decade has made the Oval one of England's premier Test venues.
Headingley, Leeds, Yorkshire
Built: 1890 / Capacity: 17,000
Headingley will be forever remembered as the venue for the 1981 Ashes test when England beat Australia by 18 runs after following on 227 runs behind. Like Old Trafford in neighbouring Lancashire, Headingley has not been favoured as a Test match venue in recent years. Hosting the Pakistan against Australia match in the summer 2010 will be seen as its chance to re-establish itself once again.
2010 Test Cricket In England
Lovers of Test match cricket in England have much to look forward to during the summer of 2010. Eight test matches, including the unique Pakistan versus Australia series on neutral soil, means a fascinating season lies ahead.
Readers may also find interest in related articles, England Cricket Tour of South Africa and 2010 Ashes dates.
References
BBC Sport
Cricinfo
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