We love all forms of cricket here at Engage but there’s nothing quite like a Test match and the past few months have shown exactly why. This summer, England welcomed India for the first-ever edition of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. 

The series certainly delivered as it ended 2-2 in what many are calling one of the best Test series of all time. Following five thrilling Test matches, we’ve taken a closer look at the action, as well as a peek at what’s coming up for England. 

How the series unfolded 

In our last update, the series was levelled following the first two Tests. In the opener, England secured their second-highest ever run chase as they secured a phenomenal 371 to go ahead in the series. 

A week later at Edgbaston, India strolled into yet another huge lead and this time, England weren’t quite at the races. The hosts couldn’t cope with Akash Deep, who took 10 wickets to level the series for India. 

The two sides headed to Lord’s for the third Test and England ultimately fell for 387, with Joe Root securing a century. India matched the hosts with the exact same score, which led to a thrilling second innings. 

The hosts could only manage 192 and it looked to have handed India their second win on the trot. But England’s bowling attack was more than up to the task. Ben Stokes rolled back the years and inspired his side with a hat-trick – England bowled India out for 170 to win by 22 runs. 

For the penultimate Test, Old Trafford was the setting for a match steeped in controversy. England racked up a phenomenal 669 to leave India with a mammoth task to turn things around in their second innings. 

Root made history by notching 150 to overtake Ricky Ponting and become the second-highest Test run scorer of all time. He’s now just 2,378 behind Sachin Tendulkar and will have top spot in his sights in the coming years. 

In the final session, a winner looked impossible so Stokes offered India the draw. But it was met with rejection as the visitors allowed Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja to secure their centuries. 

The match was eventually drawn anyway and the decision added a layer of tension heading into the final Test at The Oval. And if that animosity helped to build the drama for the finale then the sell out crowd in London were more than grateful. 

The final Test has been hailed as one of the all-time greats and for good reason. Low scores for both sides set up an exciting final pair of innings and England looked to be on their way to a comfortable win thanks to a phenomenal partnership from Root and Harry Brook. 

But as rain delayed the fourth day and bad light ended the game early, disaster struck on Monday morning. Needing just 35 runs to win with four wickets in hand, England collapsed in a real throwback to years gone by. 

Brendon McCullum’s side had hoped to avoid sending Chris Woakes out after the bowler suffered a dislocated shoulder. But as the wickets fell, Woakes was called on and he was forced to play one-handed, with his left arm in a sling beneath his whites. 

17 runs were needed to secure the win and Woakes’ partner Gus Atkinson did well to avoid letting his wounded comrade have to face India’s bowling attack. But despite the story being set up for a heroic ending, the fairytale was over when Atkinson was bowled by the incredible Mohammed Siraj. 

Siraj ended the innings with five wickets to win the final Test for India. The series was ultimately drawn and while the maiden Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy was shared, the series will go down in history. 

What’s next for England? 

Test cricket in England may be over for the summer but we’ve still got plenty of white-ball action to enjoy. Following The Hundred, England will take on South Africa in both an ODI and T20 series. 

England v South Africa ODI series 

Headingley – Tuesday 2nd September, 2025 

Lord’s – Thursday 4th September, 2025 

Utilita Bowl – Sunday 7th September, 2025 

England v South Africa T20 series 

Sophia Gardens – Wednesday 10th September, 2025 

Emirates Old Trafford – Friday 12th September, 2025 

Trent Bridge – Sunday 14th September, 2025  

Looking ahead to 2026 

The cricket continues throughout the winter as England head down under in a mission to win The Ashes in Australia for the first time since 2011. Once they’re back, they’re set for a busy summer, with Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan, as well as plenty of white-ball fun. 

England v New Zealand Test series 

Lord’s – Thursday 4th to Monday 8th June, 2026 

Kia Oval – Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st June, 2026 

Trent Bridge – Thursday 25th to Monday 29th June, 2026 

England v India T20 series 

Banks Homes Riverside – Wednesday 1st July, 2026 

Emirates Old Trafford  – Saturday 4th July, 2026 

Trent Bridge – Tuesday 7th July, 2026 

Bristol County Ground – Thursday 9th July, 2026 

Utilita Bowl – Saturday 11th July, 2026 

England v India ODI series 

Edgbaston – Tuesday 14th July, 2026 

Sophia Gardens – Thursday 16th July, 2026 

Lord’s – Sunday 19th July, 2026 

England v Pakistan Test series 

Headingley – Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd August, 2026 

Lord’s – Thursday 27th to Monday 31st August, 2026 

Edgbaston – Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th September, 2026 

England v Sri Lanka T20 series 

Utilita Bowl – Tuesday 15th September, 2026 

Sophia Gardens – Thursday 17th September, 2026 

Emirates Old Trafford – Saturday 19th September, 2026 

England v Sri Lanka ODI series 

Banks Homes Riverside – Tuesday 22nd September, 2026 

Headingley – Thursday 24th September, 2026 

Kia Oval – Sunday 27th September, 2026