Durham and Taunton set to join fascinating race for extra Test in 2023

GEORGE DOBELL - EXCLUSIVE: Trent Bridge might appear the natural choice but The Cricketer understands that the ECB are minded to award a women's Test to a Category A venue in 2023. They may also be reluctant to give up a fallow-year payment

Trent Bridge, Chester-le-Street and Taunton are among the intriguing options to host the extra Test the ECB are planning on scheduling for 2023.

While the match is not yet confirmed, it is understood England's men will play a Test against Ireland in 2023. Although Lord's might usually be expected to host such a match – England and Ireland played a Test on the ground ahead of the 2019 Ashes – they are expected to be awarded the opportunity to stage the final of the World Test Championship in the same summer. If that is confirmed, they are unlikely to be considered for a third Test in a single year.

Trent Bridge might appear the natural choice. The venue recently hosted an enthralling Test between England and New Zealand and won many plaudits for allowing free entry on a memorable final day. They missed out on an Ashes Test in 2023 due to their modest capacity.

The Cricketer understands, however, that the ECB are minded to award a women's Test to a Category A venue in 2023. If they do so, Trent Bridge is expected to consider applying to host it. They also receive a fallow-year payment from the ECB for not hosting a Test, which they will be reluctant to give up. Considerations about the number of pitches they have on their square might play a part, too.

^{Durham's Riverside Ground at Chester-le-Street is an option for an additional men's Test in 2023 [Getty Images]}

^{Trent Bridge appears a good option for a women's Test in 2023 [Getty Images]}

There are several other interesting options. While Somerset has never previously hosted a men's Test at the Cooper Associates County Ground, they have confirmed they would be interested in doing so. And with three Ashes Tests scheduled to play in Birmingham or further north (Leeds and Manchester), they feel they have a strong case for arguing the game should be played in the south-west. The ground hosted a T20I between England and South Africa in 2017.

Durham are also expected to express their interest in the match. While the club were banned from hosting Test cricket in 2016 after running into financial difficulty, there is a growing – if largely silent – acceptance at the ECB that the punishment was disproportionately brutal. Handing the club the opportunity to host a Test might be seen as a fresh start, though there may be legitimate concerns at the club's ability to sell tickets for the match. 

Surrey have also indicated to The Cricketer that they would be keen to host the match. While they are already scheduled to host an Ashes Test in 2023, they have an excellent record of selling tickets and offer financial benefits few other grounds can match. Whether the ECB want to schedule four Tests in London in a single season is debatable, however. 

Hampshire are also understood to be interested in staging the game at the Ageas Bowl. They were disappointed to lose out on an Ashes Test in 2023 and remain keen to bring more international cricket to the Southampton area. All things considered, they may be favourites.

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