Former England opener Mark Butcher, current captain Joe Root and all‑rounder Harry Brook have all voiced their displeasure that the 2027 men’s Ashes will not feature a Test match in the north of England. The venues for the 2027 series – England versus Australia – were announced last month, and the lineup consists entirely of grounds south of Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which will host the opening match.
Traditional northern venues such as Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester have been omitted, while Lord’s, Edgbaston and The Kia Oval return, and the Utilita Bowl in Southampton makes its debut as an Ashes Test host. The decision has sparked a wave of criticism from former players, current stars, pundits and fans alike.
Butcher, speaking to Sky Sports, questioned why two historic grounds were left out of a series that traditionally aims to reach the whole cricket‑loving public. “Anyone who isn’t a die‑hard Hampshire supporter will recognise that in a sport like cricket – especially in a marquee contest such as the Ashes, where interest peaks every four years – the game has to be marketed as a game for everybody. That means it needs representation across the country, and a northern venue is essential,” he said. He added that the omission of Headingley or Old Trafford is “a point for the bean counters to decide, or whoever’s turn it might be.” Butcher went on to describe the situation as “extraordinary” and “bizarre,” noting that beyond Trent Bridge there will be no Ashes cricket in the north of England next year.
He expressed a personal connection to both Headingley and Old Trafford, recalling the rich history each ground holds in Ashes lore, and lamented that the newly‑added Utilita Bowl does not share that legacy. England’s recent record at Headingley adds weight to the argument.
The team has won all seven of its most recent Tests at the Leeds venue, including a dominant innings‑and‑103‑run victory over Pakistan earlier this week. Root, who grew up in Yorkshire, echoed the sentiment that the north should have a place on the schedule. “I’d love to play as many games as possible here,” the captain told Sky Sports on Friday.
“It’s a great Test match venue with a surface that produces brilliant cricket, and we’ve had a lot of success there recently. It’s a shame we don’t get to play at Headingley next year, but I’m sure we’ll see many more great Tests here.” Root also reflected on the player’s perspective, noting that while the scheduling process is handled by administrators, players naturally prefer to compete at grounds where they feel comfortable and have a history of success.
“I think I should probably stay in my lane and understand that this is someone else’s job, but as a player you want to play at the ground that you have more success at, and Headingley is one we generally do well at,” he said, adding a personal note: “I love playing at Headingley and, as a Yorkshireman, I’ve loved it since birth.” Brook shared similar feelings. When asked how disappointed he was about the lack of a northern Test, he replied, “Slightly, to be honest. We’ve had a hell of a lot of success here at Headingley in Test cricket.” He recalled memorable Ashes moments at the ground, including Ben Stokes’ legendary 2019 innings and England’s 2023 series‑saving performance. “I personally love playing here.
It’s a great venue, one of my favourites – if not my favourite ground to bat on as well,” Brook said. He acknowledged that the decision lies with the hierarchy, not the players, and expressed frustration that the governing body’s choices can leave the north out of the spotlight. The 2027 schedule, in full, is as follows: - First Test: Friday 18 June – Tuesday 22 June (11:00 GMT) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham - Second Test: Wednesday 30 June – Sunday 4 July (11:00 GMT) – Lord’s, London - Third Test: Thursday 8 July – Monday 12 July (11:00 GMT) – Edgbaston, Birmingham - Fourth Test: Wednesday 21 July – Sunday 25 July (11:00 GMT) – Utilita Bowl, Southampton - Fifth Test: Thursday 29 July – Monday 2 August (11:00 GMT) – The Kia Oval, London While the men’s side will miss out on a northern venue, the women’s team is slated to face Australia in a Test at Headingley as part of a multi‑format series next summer. However, that will be the only men’s Test at the Yorkshire ground until at least 2029.
Both Headingley and Old Trafford have been earmarked for an Ashes Test in 2031, but the 2027 edition will be the first in the modern era to completely bypass the north. The broader debate touches on issues of regional representation, commercial considerations and the historical significance of venues. Critics argue that excluding the north undermines the inclusive image cricket tries to project, especially for a series as globally watched as the Ashes.
Supporters of the current plan point to the need to rotate venues, reach new audiences in the south, and accommodate logistical factors such as stadium capacity and broadcast infrastructure. Regardless of the reasoning, the comments from Butcher, Root and Brook highlight a clear sentiment among players: the north remains a vital cricketing heartland, and its absence from the 2027 Ashes schedule feels like a missed opportunity for both fans and the sport’s growth. The conversation is likely to continue as the England and Wales Cricket Board finalises future calendars and balances tradition with innovation.