England schedule first Wednesday start for home test

LONDON, June 4 (Reuters) England will host a test match starting on Wednesday for the first time next year after announcing the fixtures for the home series against New Zealand and South Africa.

The third test against South Africa at Edgbaston will start on Wednesday July 30.

''One of the scheduling parameters we had to deal with was that the 2008 season has to end in early September to enable both England and South Africa the opportunity to travel to the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan,'' John Carr, director of England Cricket, said in a statement today.

''The 2008 season will include a Wednesday start as well as four Thursday starts and two Friday starts for test matches. In a busy summer we feel that this sequence gives the players the maximum opportunity for rest and recuperation.'' England host New Zealand for three test matches and a one-day series in May and June. The tests series against South Africa starts on July 10.

REUTERS BJR DS1630