The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has today confirmed to the England and Wales Cricket Board that the West Indies will tour in April and May 2009 to replace the tour scheduled by Zimbabwe.

The West Indies will play two npower Test Matches from May 6-10, 2009 at Lords and from May 14-18, 2009 at Chester-le-Street .

There will be three NatWest One Day Internationals to be played on May 21 at Headingley, May 24 at Bristol and May 26 at Edgbaston.

ECB Chief Executive David Collier commented: "ECB is delighted that the West Indies will replace Zimbabwe for the 2009 tour to England and Wales. The West Indies are always popular visitors and this completes a wonderful summer of cricket which also includes the npowerAshes Series and the World Twenty20.

"ECB is most grateful for the excellent support and co-operation provided by the West Indies Board with whom we have developed an excellent and warm relationship. We greatly look forward to welcoming the West Indies Team, their officials and supporters next summer."

The ECB will now consider the options for the summer of 2010 when West Indies were originally scheduled to tour.