England handed later start

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The first npower Test against Bangladesh at Lord's will start on May 27, exactly 21 days later than this year's opener, the Wisden Trophy match against West Indies.

England's elite players are also set for a lengthy rest period in modern terms when they finish the winter tour of South Africa on January 18, with the next international fixture not until the opening one-day contest against Bangladesh in Dhaka on February 28.

That means a substantial rest period for the men who feature in all forms of the game for England.

The scheduling means that the most likely time for England's contracted players to feature in the Indian Premier League will be for a three-week window between March 24, the end of the Bangladesh tour, and April 30, when the ICC World Twenty20 tournament opens in the Caribbean.

As previously announced, England face Australia in a five-match NatWest Series, starting in late June, and follow that with a similar three-match campaign against Bangladesh, who will return to Britain after competing in the Asia Cup.

England close their summer with four npower Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five one-dayers against Pakistan. Lord's and Headingley, meanwhile, will be Pakistan's temporary homes for Tests against Australia prior to their commitments against England - the sides also contest two Twenty20 matches.

In domestic cricket, the Rose Bowl will host Twenty20 finals day on Saturday, August 14, while the controversial new 40-over final at Lord's will be held on Saturday, September 18.

England will also take on Scotland in a one-day game in Edinburgh on June 19.