Worcestershire CCC can proudly look forward to staging a feast of international cricket next summer after being chosen to stage one of the seven women's Ashes matches between England and Australia at New Road.
The county were already delighted to be staging the four-day match against the New Zealand tourists from Thursday May 14 to Sunday May 17 as part of the Black Caps preparations for the series with England.
But now New Road will play host to another prestigious fixture in the third Women’s Ashes Royal London One Day International (ODI) on July 26.
The game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports and BBC Radio as England look to retain the Ashes across seven matches – one Test, three ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals.
They have won the previous two Ashes series contested across all three formats of the game, defeating Australia 12-4 on home soil last year and 10-8 Down Under at the turn of the year.
England women's captain, Charlotte Edwards, is relishing the opportunity to play at New Road.
She said: "I’m absolutely delighted that the third Royal London Women’s Ashes ODI will be played at New Road on July 26.
"It is always good to play at new venues and spread the women’s international game across the country.
"I’m already really looking forward to heading to Worcester and playing in front of a passionate local crowd next summer."
Worcestershire chief executive David Leatherdale said: "To be hosting an Ashes match and a game against New Zealand is excellent news.
"The Ashes game will be televised and will be great coverage for the women's game and for the game locally.
"The England Women have been at the forefront for the last two or three years. They are fully professional and centrally contracted and played some fantastic cricket.
"We've also had a link with Katherine Brunt who has been doing some coaching work with the Worcestershire Cricket Board on the recreational side over the last five or six months.
"The women and girls game in Worcestershire is growing and Emily Arlott has been included in the England Women's Cricket Pathway development programme Under-19 winter training squad.
"We will be working closely with our Cricket Board, recreational cricket, schools and clubs to make sure there is plenty of work and involvement and the younger age groups, in particular the female element, will get the opportunity to see the high level cricket at New Road."
It is another feather in the cap for Worcestershire who in 2013 played host to a four-day game against the Australian men's team ahead of the Ashes.
There is one change to the scoring system this summer for the women's Ashes with the number of points awarded for winning the Test match win reduced from six to four.
Two points will still be awarded to each side if the Test is drawn and the ODIs and T20 internationals will still be worth two points each for a win.
Sky Sports and BBC Radio will broadcast live all seven Ashes games with Sky screening live a women's Test match for the first time.
The full Ashes schedule is:
July 21 – Royal London ODI* The County Ground, Taunton 2 points (win), 1 point (draw)
July 23 – Royal London ODI* Bristol County Ground 2 points, 1 point
July 26 – Royal London ODI* New Road, Worcester 2 points, 1 point
August 11 – 14 – Kia Women’s Test The Spitfire Ground, Canterbury 4 points 2 points
August 26 – NatWest T20I# The Essex County Ground, Chelmsford 2 points N/A
August 28 – NatWest T20I# The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Hove 2 points N/A
August 31 – NatWest T20I+# SWALEC Stadium, Cardiff 2 points N/A
*ICC Women’s Championship fixture
#In the event of scores being level in the NatWest T20I matches, a super over will be played
+Double-header with men’s NatWest T20I (England v Australia).
