Mark Butcher Slams Absence of Northern Venues in 2027 Ashes Schedule
Former England batsman Mark Butcher has branded the decision to remove Headingley and Old Trafford from the 2027 men’s Ashes schedule as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘bizarre’.
The locations for the five-Test series against Australia were announced last month, and all matches will be played in the Midlands, London, or the south of England, with no matches in Leeds or Manchester.
Trent Bridge in Nottingham will host the series opener, with Lord’s, Edgbaston, and the Oval returning from hosting Ashes Tests in 2023.
The Rose Bowl in Southampton has been added to the rotation, making it the first time the Hampshire venue will play a men’s Ashes Test. The exclusion of two renowned northern grounds has sparked outrage among players and commentators alike.
What does the entire 2027 men’s Ashes schedule look like?
The five-test series spans from June 18 to August 2, 2027. The first Test will be contested at Trent Bridge from June 18 to 22, followed by the second Test from June 30 to July 4.
The third Test will take place at Edgbaston from July 8 to July 12. The fourth and fifth Tests will take place at the Rose Bowl and the Oval, on July 21-25 and July 29-August 2, respectively.
The schedule centers the entire series in the Midlands and southern England. The Utilita Bowl’s selection is the most noticeable departure from previous Ashes rotations in England, as the Southampton venue has never previously hosted a men’s series between the two teams. England Women are slated to play a Test against Australia at Headingley as part of a multi-format series next summer.
When will the next men’s Ashes Test take place at Headingley and Old Trafford?
Both grounds have been given men’s Ashes Tests in 2031, which means they will miss at least two consecutive home Ashes series in England. According to the available scheduling information, Headingley will not host another men’s Test match following the current matchup versus Pakistan until 2029. England batsman Harry Brook was also disappointed that the 2027 series would not include any northern sites.
