Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Mark Butcher Calls Northern Exclusion From 2027 Ashes Bizarre
The Ashes is a famous cricket series between England and Australia.
In 2027, England will host five Test matches.
The matches will be played at Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, the Kia Oval and Utilita Bowl.
Two well-known northern grounds, Headingley and Old Trafford, were not selected.
Mark Butcher said this was strange and unfair to fans in northern England.
He also said those grounds have important Ashes history.
Harry Brook agreed that leaving out northern venues was disappointing.
Headingley will host a women's Ashes match next year.
The two northern grounds are scheduled to host men's Ashes Tests again in 2031.
The England and Wales Cricket Board selected Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, the Kia Oval and Utilita Bowl for the five-match 2027 men's Ashes series.
Former England batter Mark Butcher called the absence of Headingley and Old Trafford from the schedule “extraordinary” and “bizarre.”
Critics say the schedule lacks geographical balance, with no 2027 Ashes Test planned in northern England beyond Trent Bridge.
Both Headingley and Old Trafford are scheduled to host men's Ashes Tests in 2031.
England batter Harry Brook said the exclusion of northern venues was disappointing, citing Headingley's recent Ashes history and atmosphere.
- Who
- The England and Wales Cricket Board set the schedule; Mark Butcher and Harry Brook criticized the omission of northern venues.
- What
- The 2027 men's Ashes series will be played at five venues without a Test at Headingley or Old Trafford.
- When
- The series is scheduled for 2027; Headingley and Old Trafford are scheduled to host men's Ashes Tests in 2031.
- Where
- The selected venues are Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, the Kia Oval and Southampton's Utilita Bowl.
- Why
- The articles give no stated reason for the venue choices; the criticism centers on geographical balance and the history of northern grounds.
Critics of the schedule
Scheduling decision
Geographical representation
Critics of the schedule
Mark Butcher and Harry Brook said it was disappointing that the 2027 series would not include a northern venue such as Headingley or Old Trafford.
Scheduling decision
The England and Wales Cricket Board assigned the five Tests to Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, the Kia Oval and Utilita Bowl.
Venue history
Critics of the schedule
Butcher said Headingley and Old Trafford have significant Ashes history and argued that the series should represent the wider country.
Scheduling decision
The selected schedule includes Utilita Bowl, which will host its first men's Ashes Test, while Headingley and Old Trafford are scheduled for the 2031 series.
- Series
- Five-match men's Ashes series in 2027
- Selected venues
- Trent Bridge, Lord's, Edgbaston, the Kia Oval and Utilita Bowl
- Omitted venues
- Headingley and Old Trafford
- New Ashes venue
- Utilita Bowl will host its maiden men's Ashes Test
- Next men's Ashes Tests at northern grounds
- Headingley and Old Trafford are scheduled for 2031
- Women's Ashes at Headingley
- Headingley will host an England-Australia women's Ashes match next year
- Critics
- Mark Butcher called the decision “extraordinary” and “bizarre,” while Harry Brook called it disappointing