Northern England left off 2027 Ashes Test schedule
The ECB confirmed a five-Test Ashes programme with matches in Nottingham, London, Birmingham and Southampton, leaving out Headingley and Old Trafford.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
England's 2027 men's Ashes series will be played without a Test in northern England, after the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed a five-match schedule confined to Nottingham, London, Birmingham and Southampton. The omission leaves out Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester, two venues closely associated with the rivalry, AFP reported.
The decision had already caused criticism when the allocation was announced in 2023. Andy Burnham, now Britain's prime minister and then the mayor of Greater Manchester, criticised the absence of northern venues at the time, according to AFP.
The ECB confirmed the exact dates on Thursday. The series against Australia will begin at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 18, before moving to Lord's in London for the second Test starting June 30.
Edgbaston in Birmingham will host the third Test from July 8. Hampshire's Rose Bowl, near Southampton, will stage the fourth Test from July 21, giving the ground its first men's Ashes Test and making it the 10th venue in the United Kingdom to host a men's Ashes match, AFP reported.
The final Test is scheduled for the Oval in south London from July 29 to August 2. That keeps the full series in the Midlands and southern England.
Historic grounds miss out
Headingley and Old Trafford have staged several of the Ashes' most remembered performances, according to AFP. Don Bradman scored two triple centuries at Headingley in the 1930s, and both northern grounds hosted major performances by England all-rounder Ian Botham during the 1981 Ashes.
Headingley was also the venue for Ben Stokes's unbeaten century in 2019, when England beat Australia by one wicket in the third Test. AFP described the innings as one of the notable Ashes moments at the Leeds ground.
The two venues are not being shut out of future Ashes cricket. Old Trafford and Headingley are both set to stage Tests in the 2031 series, AFP reported.
Australia arrive as holders
Australia will travel to England after winning the 2025-26 Ashes 4-1 at home, according to AFP. The most recent Ashes series in England finished 2-2 in 2023.
England's last series win over Australia came at home in 2015, when they took the Ashes 3-2. The 2027 series will be their next home chance to reclaim the urn.
The ECB schedule also includes a one-off Test for England against Bangladesh at Lord's from May 28. The Oval will host the 2027 World Test Championship final from June 9, the second time the London ground has staged that match, AFP reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.