As Ashes 2027, schedules and venues have been announced the previous month, the Northern mayors urge ECB to review venue allocations as main northern Venues like Old Trafford and Headingley were excluded from the tournament.
Northern Mayors urge ECB to review Venue allocation
The mayors of Great Manchester and West Yorkshire had insisted ECB to review the allocation for men’s Ashes Test for 2027 as the main stadiums like Old Trafford and Headingley were excluded from the tournament.
Andy Burnham (Greater Manchester) and Tracy Brabin (West Yorkshire) have now written an open letter to the ECB, describing the allocation of venues as “remarkable” and criticizing the fact that London “consistently hosts three Tests every summer”.
Ben Stokes says devasted by the decision on the omission of the main stadiums before the 4th Test on the Ashes 2023. He said, “I’m a bit devastated that there won’t be any Ashes cricket here in 2027 in the north. It’s a shame,” he said.
“I don’t make those calls, but if I was involved, I would have said, ‘please keep at least one game in the north’. I think it’s always a loud atmosphere here. You know the crowds we get in the north – and I say the north quite bluntly there – is very good. We get a lot of support.”
“We are writing to you to express our disappointment at the English Cricket Board’s announcement of match venues for the men’s Ashes in 2027,” the mayors wrote.
“As you know, there will be no men’s Ashes Test in the north of England in 2027 – meaning that this week at Old Trafford will be the last men’s Ashes Test played in the North of England until 2031.
“Headingley and Old Trafford are two of England’s most iconic cricket grounds, and home to historic Ashes moments from Ian Botham’s heroics in 1981 to Ben Stokes’ own ‘Miracle of Headingley’ in 2019.
Very few grounds attract support as passionate or indeed as diverse as Headingley and Old Trafford – as a number of England players themselves have acknowledged in recent days.
“We understand that the ECB’s criteria for awarding Test matches include maximizing attendance and ensuring a geographic spread of matches.
It feels even more remarkable therefore that an area so passionate about cricket, with a population of over 15 million people, misses out on a men’s Ashes Test in 2027 whilst the south hosts three.
“It does not feel right that at a time when cricket needs to do more to spread interest in the game around the country that London consistently hosts three Tests every summer.
Next year, for example, Lord’s hosts one-third of England men’s Tests whilst Headingley doesn’t get any.
“The rivalry between Lancashire and Yorkshire within cricket is legendary, but this is an issue that unites both sides of the Pennines.
We urge you to think again and ensure people in the north of England get the opportunity to witness more iconic Ashes moments in 2027.”
Mark Wood and Jack Leach had expressed their “Surprise” and “Disappointment” on the choices on venues for the Ashes 2027.
Headingley is due to host a women’s Ashes Test in 2027, and both Headingley and Old Trafford are due to stage men’s Ashes Tests in 2031.
Mark Wood and Jack Leach had previously expressed their own “surprise” and “disappointment” around the choice of venues, with Leach suggesting that by playing primarily in the south, England was not making the most of their home advantage.
Headingley is due to host a women’s Ashes Test in 2027, and both Headingley and Old Trafford are due to stage men’s Ashes Tests in 2031.
