Former England opener Mark Butcher, current captain Joe Root and young all‑rounder Harry Brook have all voiced their disappointment that the 2027 men’s Ashes series will not include a Test match in the north of England. The venues for the 2027 Ashes against Australia were announced last month, and the itinerary features five Tests, but none of the traditional northern grounds appear on the list.
The series will open at Trent Bridge in Nottingham – the most northerly venue selected – before moving to Lord’s, Edgbaston, the new Utilita Bowl in Southampton and finally The Kia Oval in London. Both Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester, two of the most historic sites in Ashes history, have been omitted.
The exclusion of a northern venue has sparked a wave of criticism from players, commentators and fans. Butcher, who retired from international cricket in 2007, told Sky Sports that it was “extraordinary” and “bizarre” that there would be no Ashes match north of Trent Bridge. He argued that the Ashes is a marquee event that should be marketed as a game for the whole country, and that the north‑west and Yorkshire regions deserve representation.
“Anyone who isn’t a die‑hard Hampshire supporter will recognise that a series as big as the Ashes needs to have a presence in the north,” he said. “Whether that’s at Headingley or Old Trafford is for the accountants to decide, but it’s a decision that feels wrong.” Butcher also highlighted the historical weight of those grounds.
“I have a personal fondness for Headingley and Old Trafford from my playing days,” he explained. “Both venues have been the stage for countless classic Ashes moments. The Utilita Bowl, while a modern facility, simply does not carry that same heritage.” Joe Root echoed many of those sentiments.
The England captain noted that England have been extremely successful at Headingley in recent years – winning all seven of their last Tests there, including a dominant innings‑and‑103‑run victory over Pakistan earlier this summer. “I would love to play as many games as possible at Headingley,” Root said. “It’s a great surface that produces quality Test cricket, and we’ve had a lot of success on it lately. It’s a shame we won’t be back there for the 2027 Ashes, but I’m sure we’ll have many more great matches at other venues.” He added that players should have a voice in the scheduling process, even if the final decision lies with the England and Wales Cricket Board.
“As a player, you naturally want to play where you feel comfortable and have a track record of success,” Root remarked. “I love playing at Headingley – I was born in Yorkshire, after all – so it’s disappointing not to see it on the schedule.” Brook, who is still establishing himself in the England side, also expressed a muted but genuine disappointment.
Speaking ahead of 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. Think back to 2019 when Ben Stokes played that unforgettable innings in the Ashes, or the 2023 Ashes where we kept the series alive. Headingley is one of my favourite places to bat, if not my favourite ground overall.” He added that the decision was out of the players’ hands: “The hierarchy makes those choices and we just have to accept where we’re sent.” The broader context of the schedule is worth noting.
The 2027 Ashes will be played over five Tests from mid‑June to early August. The first Test is set for June 18‑22 at Trent Bridge, followed by a Lord’s encounter from June 30‑July 4, an Edgbaston match from July 8‑12, a brand‑new Utilita Bowl Test in Southampton from July 21‑25, and a final showdown at The Kia Oval from July 29‑August 2. While the Utilita Bowl’s inclusion marks its debut as an Ashes venue, the decision to exclude Headingley and Old Trafford has been seen by many as a missed opportunity to engage the passionate northern fan base and to honour the deep‑rooted cricketing traditions of those regions.
Looking ahead, there is a silver lining. Both Headingley and Old Trafford have been allocated an Ashes Test for the 2031 series, meaning the north will eventually be back in the spotlight.
However, the gap between 2027 and 2031 leaves a four‑year period without a men’s Ashes match in the north, a stretch that many feel could erode the sport’s reach in those areas. The England Women’s team will play an Ashes Test at Headingley next summer as part of a multi‑format series, but the men’s side will not return until at least 2029, when Headingley is slated to host a Test against Pakistan. In summary, the omission of a northern venue from the 2027 men’s Ashes schedule has drawn criticism from former and current England players alike. They argue that the Ashes, as a national spectacle, should reflect the geographic diversity of English cricket, and that historic grounds like Headingley and Old Trafford deserve a place in the lineup.
While the ECB has defended its choices as part of a broader strategic plan, the voices of Butcher, Root and Brook underline the emotional and cultural importance of keeping the north involved in one of cricket’s most storied contests.