Lord's is again the strong favourite to stage a Test match against West Indies next summer.

Cardiff was due to host one of three Tests against the Windies in May 2012, having successfully bid for the honour before apparently finding finances squeezed in the difficult economic climate.

It emerged earlier this month that Glamorgan's SWALEC Stadium, awarded the Test last December, may yet face competition for the fixture - amid press reports that it was awarded to Cardiff, even though Lord's had bid more money under the England and Wales Cricket Board's competitive tender policy.

The ECB released a statement this afternoon, confirming the process will begin again - after Glamorgan informed the governing body they will need extra time to pay the staging fee agreed for this year's first npower Test against Sri Lanka, which took place last month.

"The ECB today announced that the England v West Indies Test match, due to be held in Cardiff next year, will be put back out to a competitive tender process for bids by other host international venues,’’ the statement read.

"The decision was taken by the ECB management board after Glamorgan CCC advised the ECB that it would be late in making its payment of the staging fee for hosting the recent England v Sri Lanka npower Test match in Cardiff.

"Following further discussions between ECB and Glamorgan CCC, it has been agreed that the club will be given an extended period in which to meet the financial terms of its staging agreement.

"No decision is expected on the awarding of a new venue for next summer's West Indies Test match until the ECB has finalised the international match schedule for 2012 in its entirety.’’ It had appeared that the West Indies would become the first tourists in the modern era of split tours to be denied a Test at the home of cricket.

But there is now a possibility, they will be heading for Lord's after all.

ECB chief executive David Collier said: "This decision has been taken following close consultation with Glamorgan CCC and with a view to assisting the club in developing a sustainable long-term business plan for staging international cricket.

"ECB recognises that the club has made considerable investment into developing and upgrading the SWALEC Stadium and that this has brought considerable benefits to the wider game in England and Wales.

"Glamorgan CCC has assured ECB that it will fully comply with the terms of the staging agreement in relation to its future international matches, and further discussions will take place between both parties to ensure that the club continues to remain on a sound financial footing.

"While it will not be permitted to stage the West Indies Test match next year, the club will continue to host a one-day international against India later this summer and South Africa next year.

"It will also be free to bid for the ECB's new match packages for 2013-2016 along with all other international venues, and any application received will be considered on its merits.’’ Glamorgan chief executive Alan Hamer commented: “Following lengthy discussions with the England & Wales Cricket Board (“ECB”), Cardiff will not be staging an England v West Indies Test match next year. The next Test match to be staged in Cardiff will now be in 2014.

“Due to the commercial challenges the Club faced in staging the recent England v Sri Lanka npower Test match, the ECB have agreed to extend the deadline for Glamorgan Cricket to meet the financial terms of the match agreement.

“The SWALEC Stadium will continue to stage international cricket with a minimum of one Test match, five One-Day Internationals and one Twenty20 International to be played in Cardiff prior to 2016.

“Glamorgan Cricket has also recently submitted an application to the ECB to stage additional international matches at the SWALEC Stadium in the period 2013 to 2016, and a decision is expected in September.”