ECB announces schedule for 2023 domestic season

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday, November 30, announced the fixtures of all the domestic tournaments that are set to take place in 2023, which includes the schedule for both the men’s and women’s cricket competitions.

The 2023 County Championship format has remained unchanged for the forthcoming season. The first round of matches is set to commence on April 6, 2023, which includes the likes of all 18 First Class Counties, and Surrey will be entering the competition with an aim to defend their title.

The schedule shows that one portion of the fixtures will run alongside the Men’s Ashes Test that is played between the England and Australia. Furthermore, the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixture list has doubled in size as one group of eight regional teams will now be playing the traditional home and away fixtures. Northern Diamonds will begin their title defence at home, taking on Western Storm at Headingley.

ECB introduces new and exciting changes

The new season has a double-header format for the Charlotte Edwards Cup and the Vitality Blast. With one more fixture included for each team in the 2023 season, the eight teams forming one group will play home or away, meaning seven group fixtures per team in the Edwards Cup.

On the other hand, the all-exciting Vitality Blast will see Edgbaston hosting the first match of the season on Saturday, 20 May. Furthermore, it is understood that fans will get an opportunity to witness some of England’s newly-crowned men’s T20 World Champions in action. The management has planned a double-header that will feature Birmingham Bears against Yorkshire Vikings, followed by Derbyshire Falcons against last season’s runners-up, Lancashire Lightning.

The group stage of the One-Day Cup will take place alongside season three of The Hundred, which is scheduled to begin on 1st August. Reigning champions Kent will cross swords with Yorkshire at Scarborough away from home. Eight outgrounds are set to host the fixtures which have become a feature of the One-Day Cup recently.