England Women have dropped a planned Test against the West Indies next year and will instead stage several red-ball matches between squad members. The decision is aimed at improving their form in the longer format before the women's Ashes. Sides within the squad will face each other in place of an opponent from outside the camp.

The move is a bold one, because Test cricket is rare for the women's game and every match on the calendar carries weight. Swapping a fixture against a touring side for internal games risks losing the sharp pressure that comes from playing rivals who are not already familiar with your plans. Yet it also gives England a chance to test players, try combinations and build red-ball confidence away from the scrutiny of a series. Whether the gamble pays off will only become clear once the Ashes arrive.

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