Windies ponder England tour

1:08am Wednesday 29th October 2008

The West Indies Cricket Board are considering an offer to tour England next year.

The England and Wales Cricket Board have invited the Windies to play two Test matches and three one-day internationals after scheduled opponents Sri Lanka pulled out as their players were keen to honour individual contracts with the Indian Premier League.

WICB chief executive Dr Donald Peters told West Indies' official website: "The WICB have a request to play two Tests and three ODIs in England. We are examining all possibilities."

Dr Peters added: "At this stage it presents some challenges because the West Indies will be hosting a series - including Tests and one-day internationals - against Bangladesh in early May next year.

"If we accept the invitation we would have to determine how best we could work out the logistics and planning issues."

England have turned to West Indies after a proposed tour by Zimbabwe was cancelled for political reasons, while replacements Sri Lanka could only send a second-string side due to the dates clashing with the second season of the IPL.