For 211 years, Lord's Cricket Ground has hosted men's Test matches but never a women's Test. That changes in 2026 when England women face India women at the historic London venue for the first time.
A 211 year wait ends at the home of cricket
The England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed the fixture as part of a packed summer schedule. The match will take place in June 2026. Lord's, often called the home of cricket, has been the stage for some of the sport's most memorable moments. Until now, none of those moments belonged to women's Test cricket.
Why this match matters to local fans and players
England women have played Test cricket since 1934. India women played their first Test in 1976. Yet neither team had ever walked onto the Lord's outfield for a five day match. The venue has hosted women's one day internationals and T20 matches, including the 2017 Women's World Cup final. But the longer format, considered the purest form of the game, had remained out of reach.
Heather Knight, England women's captain, said the news was "incredibly special" and that playing a Test at Lord's had been a dream for many players. The match is part of a broader push by the ECB to grow women's cricket and give it equal footing with the men's game.
For Indian fans, the match carries extra weight. India women have never won a Test series in England. The chance to make history at Lord's adds a layer of significance to an already competitive rivalry.
A milestone for women's cricket globally
The announcement comes as women's Test cricket experiences a slow but steady revival. Only a handful of women's Tests are played each year, compared to dozens of men's Tests. The International Cricket Council has no fixed women's Test championship, meaning each match carries its own weight and context.
By hosting a women's Test at Lord's, the ECB signals that the venue belongs to all cricketers, not just men. The match will likely draw large crowds and significant media attention. For players who grew up watching men's Tests at Lord's, the chance to create their own history on that ground is a powerful moment.
The fixture also strengthens the bond between English and Indian cricket. Both nations have passionate fan bases and deep cricketing traditions. A Test match at Lord's between them is a natural fit, even if it took more than two centuries to happen.
When the players walk through the Long Room and onto the field in June 2026, they will break a barrier that stood for generations. Lord's will finally host a women's Test. The game will never look quite the same.
