South Africa and West Indies confirmed for England's longest season

England's home season in 2017 has been confirmed as the longest in their international history, after the ECB announced a glut of fixtures spanning 148 days and featuring both the earliest start date, May 5, and the latest finish, September 29.

South Africa and West Indies are lined up for full tours in an unprecedented summer that will also feature the ECB's hosting of the Champions Trophy in early to mid-June, and the women's World Cup between June 26 and July 23..

The previous earliest start to an English summer was May 6, when England and West Indies embarked on that summer's first Test at Lord's. The latest finish also involved West Indies, when they beat England in the final of the Champions Trophy on September 25, 2004.