THE Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton will host four matches in the International T20 Tri-Series between England, New Zealand and South Africa next June.

The home of Somerset County Cricket Club was the venue for seven matches in the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, and will play a major part in 2018's summer fixtures for world champions England.

Wednesday, June 20 will see New Zealand face South Africa (1pm) and England take on South Africa (5.40pm) at the County Ground, which will also host England v South Africa (1pm) and England v New Zealand (5.40pm) on Saturday, June 23.

The final of the series will take place at The CloudFM County Ground, Chelmsford, on Sunday, July 1.

The competition acts as a crucial warm-up for the ICC Women’s World T20, in the West Indies in November 2018.

Somerset CCC chief executive Lee Cooper said: "Somerset are once again delighted to be playing a major part in the International Women’s calendar in 2018.

"Following England’s ICC World Cup win and Western Storm’s success this year, interest in the women’s game is at an all time high.

"We have a long tradition of supporting England and long may this continue.

“The England team receive tremendous support when they play here at the Cooper Associates County Ground, and I look forward to seeing large crowds cheering on Heather [Knight], Anya [Shrubsole] and the rest of the team in 2018.”

Tickets for international games are to go on sale from Tuesday, December 12, with prices to be announced in due course.