Former England opener Mark Butcher, current captain Joe Root and batting star Harry Brook have all voiced their disappointment that the 2027 men’s Ashes series will not feature a Test match in the northern part of the country. The venues for the 2027 England‑Australia clash were announced last month, and none of the five scheduled Tests will be played north of Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which will host the opening match. The traditional venues of Lord’s, Edgbaston and the Kia Oval are back on the itinerary, while the Utilita Bowl in Southampton will host a men’s Ashes Test for the first time. However, two of the most iconic northern grounds – Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester – have been omitted from the schedule, a decision that has drawn criticism from players, commentators and fans alike.
Butcher, speaking to Sky Sports, questioned why two historic venues were left out, noting that the Ashes is a marquee event that should be marketed as a game for the whole nation. "Anyone who isn’t a die‑hard Hampshire supporter will recognise that in a sport like cricket, especially in a series as high‑profile as the Ashes, you need representation from all regions. A Test in the north is essential if the game is truly being sold as a sport for everyone," he said. He added that the choice between Headingley and Old Trafford is essentially a financial decision made by the administrators, but it is a baffling one for many.
Butcher continued, "I find it extraordinary that there will be no Ashes cricket in the north of England beyond Trent Bridge next year. It’s bizarre. Of course I have a personal affinity for Headingley and Old Trafford from my playing days, and both grounds carry a huge amount of Ashes history. The Utilita Bowl, while a fine venue, simply does not have that legacy." England have enjoyed a perfect record at Headingley in recent years, winning all seven of their last Tests there, including a dominant innings‑and‑103‑runs victory over Pakistan earlier this summer.
Root echoed the sentiment, arguing that the team’s success at the Leeds ground should be taken into account when planning future schedules. "I’d love to play as many games as possible at Headingley," the captain said. "The surface produces excellent Test cricket and we’ve been very successful there recently.
It’s a shame we won’t be back next year, but I’m confident we’ll see many more great matches at that ground in the future." Root also pointed out that, as a player, he would like to have some input into venue selection, even though the final decisions lie with the England and Wales Cricket Board. "I understand my role is to stay in my lane and let the administrators do their job, but as a player you naturally want to play where you’ve had success.
Headingley has always been a favourite of mine – I’m a Yorkshireman through and through." The omission of a northern Test also affects the women’s game. England Women will meet Australia in a Test at Headingley as part of a multi‑format series next summer, but the ground will not host another men’s Ashes Test until at least 2029, after the current schedule runs its course. Looking further ahead, both Headingley and Old Trafford have been earmarked for an Ashes Test in 2031, while Edgbaston and the Utilita Bowl will miss out that year. Brook, however, expressed his disappointment about the 2027 schedule.
Speaking before day three of the first Test against Pakistan, he said, "I’m slightly disappointed, to be honest. We’ve had a lot of success at Headingley in Test cricket. You think back to 2019 when Ben Stokes played that incredible innings, and the recent 2023 Ashes win – Headingley has been a key venue for us." Brook added, "I love playing at Headingley; it’s one of my favourite grounds to bat on.
It’s disappointing that we won’t have a northern Test this summer, but those decisions are made by the hierarchy, not by us as players." The full 2027 Ashes timetable is as follows (all times UK and Ireland): - First Test: Friday 18 June – Tuesday 22 June (11 am) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham - Second Test: Wednesday 30 June – Sunday 4 July (11 am) – Lord’s, London - Third Test: Thursday 8 July – Monday 12 July (11 am) – Edgbaston, Birmingham - Fourth Test: Wednesday 21 July – Sunday 25 July (11 am) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton - Fifth Test: Thursday 29 July – Monday 2 August (11 am) – The Kia Oval, London The omission of Headingley and Old Trafford from this year’s schedule has sparked a wider debate about regional balance in English cricket. Critics argue that concentrating high‑profile matches in the south and the Midlands neglects the passionate fan bases in the north, where cricket enjoys a deep-rooted following and a rich history of memorable Ashes moments. Supporters of the current plan point to logistical considerations, commercial contracts and the desire to showcase newer venues like the Utilita Bowl as part of the sport’s modernization. Regardless of the arguments, the voices of Butcher, Root and Brook make it clear that many players feel a strong connection to the northern grounds and would welcome a more equitable distribution of future Ashes fixtures.
Their comments underscore an ongoing tension between tradition, commercial interests and the goal of making cricket accessible to supporters across the entire United Kingdom.