England announce 2012 summer schedule of Tests and ODIs

England's three captains face a busy summer in 2012

England have announced their 2012 summer schedule, with West Indies, Australia and South Africa touring.

arrive in May for three Tests, three one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game, before Australia play five one-dayers in June and July.

South Africa then play three Tests, five ODIs and three T20 internationals between mid-July and mid-September.

Cardiff hosts the domestic Twenty20 finals day on 25 August, with the CB40 final at Lord's on 15 September.

Meanwhile, Australia play Ireland in a one-day international in Belfast on 23 June, while England travel to Scotland for an ODI on 12 August.

The second Test against South Africa, which takes place at Headingley between 2-6 August, is the only Test to directly clash with the 2012 Olympics in London, which run from 25 July until 12 August.

The domestic international programme finishes on 12 September, a fortnight earlier than it did in 2011, to allow both England and South Africa to depart for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, which begins on 18 September.

The venues for each of the international matches had already been determined.

West Indies will visit Lord's, Trent Bridge and Edgbaston for Tests, with ODIs at the Rose Bowl, The Oval and Headingley, and a Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge.

The Caribbean side will also take on Sussex, the England Lions, Leicestershire and Middlesex.

Meanwhile, after playing Leicestershire, Ireland and Essex, Australia's five ODIs are at Lord's, The Oval, Edgbaston, Chester-le-Street and Old Trafford.

South Africa's tour features Tests at The Oval, Headingley and Lord's, with ODIs at Cardiff, the Rose Bowl, The Oval, Lord's and Trent Bridge, T20 internationals at Chester-le-Street, Old Trafford and Edgbaston, and warm-up games against Somerset, Kent, Worcestershire, Derbyshire and Gloucestershire.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: "With England looking to maintain its position as the number one side in the ICC's World Test rankings and also preparing to defend the World Twenty20 title in Sri Lanka next autumn, interest in next summer's international programme will be intense.

"A record number of people attended this season's international fixtures and with an exciting summer in prospect again in 2012, we would urge spectators to buy tickets early in order to avoid disappointment."

Full schedules:

West Indies in England

Australia in England and Ireland

South Africa in England