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ECB will ‘look at’ funding West Indies Test if required, says Richard Thompson

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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) would “look at” the unusual step of funding a women’s Test in the West Indies next year in order to aid England’s Ashes preparations.

The Test in the Caribbean, part of a multi-format series in the spring of 2027, was announced in 2024 and is scheduled before England’s bid to regain the Ashes from Australia.

Last week, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced a wide range of money-saving measures, including cuts to player contracts.

In March, a women’s Test that West Indies were due to host against Australia was cancelled, though the white-ball element of that tour went ahead.

There have been no discussions between the ECB and CWI about cancelling the Test.

The tour as a whole – including three T20s and three one-day internationals in April and May of next year – is not under threat, though exact dates and venues are still to be confirmed.

Asked by BBC Sport if the Test was in doubt, ECB chair Richard Thompson said: “I hope not. That’s not expected to be cancelled. I hope it will take place.”

However, when it was put to Thompson that the ECB may need to provide some funding for the Test to take place, he said his organisation would “look at” the situation should it arise.

Governing bodies usually have reciprocal arrangements for the home board to pick up the logistical expenses of the visiting team, including things like travel and accommodation.

In the West Indies, these can be inflated by the cost of flying West Indies and visiting players between islands. Last week, CWI said it has spent more than $80m on domestic air travel in the past 15 years.

Thompson pointed to a similarly unusual situation when the Zimbabwe men’s team played a Test in England last year, with the ECB paying the visitors a touring fee.

“We want that Test match to play out,” said Thompson. “It’s very important for us because our first women’s match in the Ashes is the Headingley Test, so we need a good red-ball warm-up.

“We’ve got to be playing somewhere and we’d much prefer that to be the West Indies.

“We all have a huge sympathy for the West Indies, we all want to see a successful West Indian nation. They have very unique challenges and I hope through the International Cricket Council and others we can find a way through this.”

The first match of the multi-format women’s Ashes series is the sole Test at Headingley in June – the only Test, men’s or women’s, staged north of Nottingham next summer.

England have played one Test since they lost every game on the Ashes tour of Australia in early 2025 – a defeat by India at Lord’s earlier this year.

They have not played West Indies in a women’s Test since 1979, while West Indies have not played a Test against anyone since a trip to Pakistan in 2004.

The Test in West Indies is one part of England’s Ashes Test preparations. In January, the squad will take part in a 10-day red-ball training camp in India.

In 2023, England played Australia A and Australia played England A as Test warm-up matches and that arrangement could be replicated in 2027. Plans for domestic players to potentially be involved in some red-ball cricket in the early part of next season are also being finalised.

Thompson was speaking at Lord’s as the ECB launched initiatives to take cricket to more than 1,700 state secondary schools and more than 3,500 teachers.

‘Cricket for Teachers’ and ‘Secondary Countdown Cricket’ are part of the ECB’s aim to reach half of all state secondary schools in England and Wales by the end of 2028.

Earlier this year, a report by the Sutton Trust found cricket to be one of the most elitist jobs in the country, with 59% of male professionals and 50% of women privately educated.

“We really want teachers to upskill and be able to coach,” said Thompson. “The second part is to be able to do something no other team sport can do, which is bring boys and girls together until the age of 16.

“This adds to the pathway. It’s another stepping stone for a late developer, or an opportunity for someone to think they want to play the game properly, with a hardball.

“It’s meaningful in that we want to reach one and a half million children who have never played the game before. That’s a significant programme and the ambition that sits behind this.”

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JJ Gabriel: Man Utd prodigy still expected to leave despite first-team photo inclusion – this is how it unfolded | Football News

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October 5, 2026

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JJ Gabriel is still expected to leave Manchester United despite featuring in the club’s squad photo for the 2026/27 season.

Sky Sports News understands the picture was taken on September 8, when Gabriel was still at the club and expected to feature for the first team this season.

It was just days later that Gabriel and his family then put in a formal request to leave.

Gabriel remains registered with United and Sky Sports News understands multiple attempts have been made to reconcile the situation with the 15-year-old and his family, with duty of care being a factor for such a young player, but no progress has been made.

Gabriel has attracted the interest of Europe’s biggest clubs and talks have taken place between his camp and the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, with PSG and Bayern Munich also interested in the young attacking talent.

From United’s perspective, they feel they have done all they can to show Gabriel and his family a clear pathway to their first team while also protecting his long-term development.

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This involves, for example, featuring in the first-team squad photo that was released on Monday – a message he was to be involved in Michael Carrick’s plans this season.

Another action they would point to is having Gabriel train with the first team for pre-season while also making his debut against Atletico Madrid in a friendly during that time.

However, Gabriel and his family would point to wanting more than the eight to nine minutes off the bench that he got in that particular game.

Gabriel’s involvement in pre-season came after the 15-year-old failed to report back with the academy squad at the beginning of pre-season as expected.

The U21s arrived back at Carrington a week before the first team, and Gabriel was due back at the same time.

But his family believed it was beneath him and were of the view he should only be involved in first-team training and so pulled him out of reporting back with the U21s.

JJ Gabriel is attracting interest from Europe's top clubs
Image:
JJ Gabriel is attracting interest from Europe’s top clubs

Sky Sports News also understands Gabriel had an individual development plan led by first-team coaches at the club, including the first-team’s medical and performance departments – who all engaged with Gabriel and his family to ensure he was receiving the attention they felt he deserved.

However despite there being a feeling from inside the club the relationship between them and Gabriel’s camp was harmonious, there was a difference in opinion over how much he would feature for the first-team at the beginning of the season.

Gabriel and his family requested the 15-year-old feature for at least 20 minutes against Sabah in the Champions League, Brighton in the FA Cup and Bournemouth in the Premier League on October 25. This was all before beginning negotiations around a scholarship contract to secure his future at the club.

Gabriel was ineligible for the first-team tie against Sabah as he was not put in United’s A-list. Instead he played against the Azerbaijani side in the UEFA Youth League that day instead and scored a hat-trick.

When Gabriel turns 16 – on October 6 – he would automatically be added to the club’s B-list and would be eligible for matchday squads going forward – but Gabriel’s family will believe that was the opportune moment for him to be involved in first-team action.

Gabriel has not trained with United since.

Club sources believe the tension between the two camps stem from Gabriel’s family wanting to chase historical records and United wanting to protect his long-term development.

To this point, no club-to-club contact has been made regarding the availability of JJ Gabriel.

Sky Sports News has been told if a European club tries to lure him away through a FIFA loophole, United will consider legal action.

It is presumed from the club’s perspective that the change in attitude from Gabriel’s family around the Sabah game revolves around promises made from elsewhere – whether from another European club or potential representation acting on Gabriel and his family’s behalf.

For now the teenager remains a Manchester United player and despite the fractured relationship, those at the club still believe they are the best place for Gabriel and his individual development.

However, it remains unlikely we will ever see Gabriel in a United shirt again, with Europe’s biggest clubs circling the young star.

Sky Sports News has contacted Gabriel’s family for comment.

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Football gossip: Madueke, Kounde, Kane, Zirkzee, King, Endrick, Alvarez, Herazo, Balde, Yoro, Leoni

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9 minutes ago

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October 5, 2026

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Arsenal forward Noni Madueke has suitors in Spain and Italy, five Premier League clubs are interested in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, and England captain Harry Kane is close to signing a new deal at Bayern Munich.

Atletico Madrid and Juventus are targeting 24-year-old Arsenal and England forward Noni Madueke. (Telegraph – requires subscription)

Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City are all interested in 27-year-old Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde, with the Spanish club willing to listen to significant offers. (Sport – in Spanish)

England striker Harry Kane, 33, is in the final stages of agreeing a new three-year contract with Bayern Munich. (Talksport)

AC Milan could make another attempt to sign Manchester United‘s 25-year-old Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee in January, potentially on loan with an option to buy. (Calciomercato – in Italian)

Arsenal, Liverpool, and Borussia Dortmund are interested in Fulham‘s 19-year-old English attacker Josh King who is valued at £51m. (4-4-2.ch – in German)

Real Madrid are set to stand firm on their desire not to sell 20-year-old Brazil forward Endrick despite interest from Arsenal and Tottenham. (Teamtalk)

Tottenham‘s interest in Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez is unlikely to come to anything with the 26-year-old Argentine still having his heart set on a move to Barcelona. (Football Insider)

Representatives from clubs in the Premier League and Major League Soccer have been scouting Colombia U20 international Edmilson Herazo, 18, of Barranquilla. (Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra)

Liverpool and Manchester United are interested in Barcelona and Spain left-back Alejandro Balde, 22, who is also wanted by Juventus. (Calciomercato – in Italian)

Paris St-Germain are again interested in 20-year-old Manchester United and France defender Leny Yoro. (KickFootball – in French)

Inter and Juventus are both eyeing Liverpool‘s 19-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni. (Tuttosport – in Italian)

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Terrion Arnold's friend pleads guilty, must testify in future case proceedings

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16 minutes ago

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October 5, 2026

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Boakai Hilton was sentenced to 10 years in prison for pleading guilty to kidnapping and robbery charges.

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