England plan more talks to save West Indies Test series

England and the West Indies will have a further discussion on the logistics of playing their Test series this summer, following positive initial talks.

There is a strong desire to play the three Tests, and England are planning for the international summer to begin on July 8. The series is certain to be behind closed doors, with matches at “biosecure” venues. The Ageas Bowl and Old Trafford both have hotels, meaning players would remain on site.

A spokesman for the England and Wales Cricket Board said, after talks with the West Indies on Friday: “Discussions included revised schedules and medical and biosecurity planning. Meetings will be ongoing to reach an outcome for when international cricket could potentially return. This is a long and detailed process and is very much in the early stages of planning.”

The next talks are due on Friday week. England are also in advanced discussions with Sri Lanka about rearranging their two-Test tour for next January. The tour was abandoned midway through a warm-up game in March. England are due to tour India at the end of January for a Test series. Playing in Sri Lanka before would be good preparation.

Meanwhile, Jason Roy says he hopes the T20 World Cup, scheduled for Australia in October, can proceed.

“If players aren’t able to prepare in the right way and are not able to get over to Australia, then it makes sense to postpone it,” he said. “But if it goes ahead and we’re told we have three weeks to prepare to play in the World T20, all the boys will be putting the yards in to make sure we’re ready.”

Roy said he would “do what I’m told by bosses” as the prospect of England playing in some capacity nears. “I’ll just get told what to do. I’m just a pawn in the sporting world,” the Surrey batsman said.