THE West Indies have been confirmed as the Test opponents for England at Chester-le-Street next year.
They will be at Riverside between May 14 to 18 and will tour as a replacement for Zimbabwe.
Political objections to Zimbabwe's tour forced their withdrawal earlier this year, prompting the England and Wales Cricket Board to cast around for replacement tourists.
Sri Lanka were approached initially, but the majority of their leading players are signed up on contracts for the Indian Premier League, which clashes with the two-Test series.
But after weeks of negotiations, the West Indies were confirmed as England's opponents at the start of a summer which also includes the Twenty20 World Cup and a home Ashes series.
The West Indies will play two Tests, at Lord's from May 6 to 10 and at Chester-le-Street, before competing in a three-match one-day series at Headingley on May 21, in Bristol on May 24 and at Edgbaston on May 26.
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