Joe Root, Harry Brook and former England opener Mark Butcher have all voiced their frustration that the 2027 men’s Ashes series will not include a Test match in the northern part of the country. The venues for the 2027 England‑Australia showdown were announced last month, and the line‑up of five Tests contains no ground north of Nottingham’s Trent Bridge, which will host the opening match. The traditional venues of Lord’s, Edgbaston and the Kia Oval are back on the schedule, while the Utilita Bowl in Southampton will host a men’s Ashes Test for the first time.
In contrast, two of the most historic northern grounds – Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester – have been omitted from this year’s itinerary. The decision has sparked a wave of criticism from players, commentators and supporters alike. Butcher, speaking to Sky Sports, asked why two of England’s most storied venues were left out.
“Anyone who isn’t a die‑hard Hampshire fan will recognise that the Ashes is a marquee event that draws huge interest across the four‑year cycle,” he said. “If the series is being marketed as a game for everyone, it needs representation in the north.” He added that the choice of venue is ultimately a matter for the administrators – “the bean counters” – but that it seemed odd to exclude the north beyond Trent Bridge. Butcher continued, “It’s extraordinary that there will be no Ashes cricket up in the north of England beyond Trent Bridge next year. It’s bizarre.” He noted his personal connection to both Headingley and Old Trafford, recalling the rich history each ground holds in Ashes folklore.
“The Utilita Bowl is a fine stadium, but it doesn’t have the same Ashes pedigree,” he remarked. England’s current record at Headingley underscores the disappointment. The team has won all seven of its most recent Tests there, including a dominant innings‑and‑103‑run victory over Pakistan earlier this week.
Root, who captains England, argued that the side’s success at the Leeds venue should have been a factor in the scheduling decision and suggested that players ought to have a voice in such matters. “I’d love to play as many games as possible here,” the captain said on Friday. “It’s a great Test match venue with a surface that produces brilliant cricket, and we’ve enjoyed a lot of success on it recently. It’s a shame we don’t get to play at Headingley next year, but I’m sure we’ll see many more memorable Tests here in the future.” He acknowledged the differences between the English and Australian scheduling systems, adding, “I probably should stay in my lane and recognise that this is someone else’s job, but as a player you naturally want to play where you’ve had success, and Headingley is one of those places for us.” Root also highlighted his personal attachment to the ground, saying, “I love playing at Headingley and, as a Yorkshireman, I’ve been a fan since I was a child.” The women’s side will still feature a Test at Headingley as part of a multi‑format series next summer, but the men’s game will not return to the venue until at least 2029, after the current clash with Pakistan.
Both Headingley and Old Trafford have been earmarked for an Ashes Test in 2031, while Edgbaston and the Utilita Bowl will miss out in that later series. Brook echoed the sentiment of disappointment, albeit with a measured tone. When asked how he felt about the omission, the batsman replied, “Slightly, to be honest. We’ve had a lot of success here at Headingley in Test cricket.” He recalled memorable moments such as Ben Stokes’ legendary 2019 Ashes innings and England’s 2023 Ashes victory that kept the urn alive.
“I personally love playing here. It’s a great venue and probably my favourite ground to bat on,” Brook said. “It’s disappointing that the north is left out, but those decisions are made by the hierarchy, not by us players.” The full schedule for the 2027 Ashes, all times UK and Ireland, is as follows: - 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 northern venues has reignited a broader debate about regional representation in English cricket. Advocates argue that hosting high‑profile matches in the north not only rewards a passionate fan base but also helps grow the game in areas that have historically produced a disproportionate share of England’s talent.
Critics of the current plan suggest that the ECB’s focus on commercial considerations and newer stadiums may be overlooking the cultural and historical significance of grounds like Headingley and Old Trafford. While the ECB has yet to respond in detail, the conversation is likely to continue as the 2027 series approaches. In the meantime, fans can follow England’s Tests against Pakistan on Sky Sports and stream cricket contract‑free via NOW, ensuring that the excitement of the sport remains accessible even as the debate over venue allocation unfolds.