Windies 'offered England series'

England could face Fidel Edwards home and away next season

The West Indies have been lined up to play England if Sri Lanka scrap their 2009 tour, BBC Sport understands.

The West Indies Cricket Board is discussing the invitation for two Tests and three one-day games in the spring.

"It is a challenge as we are hosting a series with Bangladesh including Tests and one-day games next May," said WICB chief executive Dr Donald Peters.

"We are still talking. They (England) want to play us twice in one year. We are examining all the possibilities."

Sri Lanka's visit to England was only arranged to fill the gap left by the cancellation of Zimbabwe's tour, but at that time many top Sri Lankan players have commitments to the Indian Premier League.

"If we accept the invitation we would have to determine how best we could work out the logistics and planning issues," said Peters.

If the visit goes ahead, it will come shortly after England return from their visit to the West Indies from January to April.

606: DEBATE I can't see how the Sri Lankans can get away with this sort of 'adjustment', only to honour a local league in India RugbySlayer

England are due to arrive for training in the Caribbean on 21 January in Barbados to play four Tests, five one-day matches and a Twenty20 match.

If the West Indies do accept the invitation to come to England, it would mean juggling Bangladesh's scheduled visit.

That has been planned as part of the International Cricket Council's scheme to organise Tests seven years in advance.