The 2027 Ashes series between England and Australia will be played exclusively in the Midlands and south of England, with historic northern venues Headingley (Leeds) and Old Trafford (Manchester) omitted from the fixture list. The decision, announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday, has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who as Mayor of Greater Manchester had previously condemned the move in 2023.

Headingley and Old Trafford have hosted some of the most iconic moments in Ashes history. Don Bradman scored two triple centuries at Headingley in the 1930s, Ian Botham produced heroic performances in the 1981 series, and Ben Stokes' unbeaten 135 led England to a one-wicket victory at Headingley in 2019.

The five-Test series begins at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on June 18, followed by Lord's (June 30), Edgbaston in Birmingham (July 8), the Rose Bowl in Hampshire (July 21), and concludes at the Oval in south London (July 29-August 2). The Rose Bowl will host its first Ashes Test, becoming the 10th UK venue to stage a men's Ashes match.

Australia won the 2025-26 home Ashes 4-1, while the last series in England ended in a 2-2 draw in 2023. England's last Ashes series victory was a 3-2 home win in 2015. Both Old Trafford and Headingley are scheduled to host Ashes Tests in 2031.

England will also play a one-off Test against Bangladesh at Lord's starting May 28. The 2027 World Test Championship final will be held at the Oval from June 9.

Source: www.aljazeera.com