England matches in the summer of 2018

The ECB has announced England's summer 2018 schedule which includes a visit from the world's number one Test side as well as meetings with Pakistan, Australia and Scotland.

India will be taking part in a five-match Test series in this country for only the second time since 1959.

The tour starts in July with a three-match Twenty20 series, followed by three one-day internationals and the Test matches at Edgbaston, Lord's, Trent Bridge, the Ageas Bowl and The Oval.

England will start a Test match on a Saturday next summer for the first time in 63 years.

The Saturday start - in the third Test against India at Trent Bridge on August 18 - will be England's first since they took on South Africa at The Oval in 1955.

England's international summer begins at Lord's with the first of a two-Test series against Pakistan on May 24, with the second Test to be played at Headingley a week later.

The one-day side head to Edinburgh on June 10 to face Scotland prior to five one-day internationals and one T20 meeting with Australia later that month.

ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison said: "A five-Test series against India is at the heart of next summer's international programme. This is always a much-anticipated contest which attracts a huge following across the globe for the five-day game.

"Test Match cricket has a strong, consistent and passionate following across England and Wales and the seven summer Tests, starting with the Pakistan matches, are sure to attract good crowds.

"Alongside these, England's white-ball contests against India, Australia and Scotland will give a fascinating guide to form ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup, to be staged here in 2019."

England are currently preparing for the deciding third Test against West Indies at Lord's. Joe Root's side are the odds-on favourites at 30/100 with Sky Bet for victory, the visitors are 8/1 outsiders and the draw can be backed at 9/2.

England fixtures in the summer of 2018

Pakistan

Lord's, London: May 24-28 – first Test
Headingley, Leeds: June 1-5 – second Test

Scotland

Grange CC, Edinburgh: June 10 - one-day international

Australia

The Oval, London: June 13 - first ODI
SSE SWALEC, Cardiff: June 16 - second ODI
Trent Bridge, Nottingham: June 19 - third ODI
Emirates Riverside, Chester-le-Street: June 21 - fourth ODI
Old Trafford, Manchester: June 24 - fifth ODI
Edgbaston, Birmingham: June 27 - Twenty20 Iinternational

India

Old Trafford, Manchester: July 3 - first T20
SSE SWALEC, Cardiff: July 6 - second T20
The Brightside Ground, Bristol: July 8 - third T20
Trent Bridge, Nottingham: July 12 - first ODI
Lord's, London: July 14 - second ODI
Headingley, Leeds: July 17 - third ODI
Edgbaston, Birmingham: August 1-5 - first Test
Lord's, London: August 9-13 - second Test
Trent Bridge, Nottingham: August 18-22 - third Test
Ageas Bowl, Southampton: August 30-September 3 - fourth Test
The Oval, London: September 7-11 - fifth Test