Former England batsman Mark Butcher has voiced his strong disapproval of the upcoming men's Ashes series schedule for 2027, deeming it "extraordinary" and "bizarre" that no Test matches are slated for the north of England.

The venues for the 2027 Ashes against Australia were recently confirmed, revealing a lineup that excludes any ground north of Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which will host the series opener. Iconic venues like Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester are notably absent from the five-Test schedule.

Returning venues include Lord's, Edgbaston, and the Kia Oval. The Utilita Bowl in Southampton will, however, host a men's Ashes Test for the first time.

The omission of northern grounds has drawn criticism from players, pundits, and fans alike. Butcher articulated his concerns, stating, "I think anybody but the most partisan Hampshire cricket supporter would recognise that in a sport and particularly in a series like the Ashes, where the interest in the game is at its peak at any point over a four-year cycle, that the game being marketed as a game for everybody needs to have some representation and needs to have a game in the north."

He added, "Whether that's here at Headingley or whether it's at Old Trafford, that's a point for the bean counters to decide, or whoever's turn that might be. I find it extraordinary that there'll be no Ashes cricket up in the north of England beyond Trent Bridge next year. It's bizarre."

Butcher also highlighted the historical significance of grounds like Headingley and Old Trafford for Ashes cricket, noting that while the Utilita Bowl is a new addition, it lacks the same storied past.

Although England Women are set to play a Test at Headingley against Australia next summer as part of a multi-format series, the venue will not host another men's Ashes Test after the current series against Pakistan until 2029. Both Old Trafford and Headingley are scheduled to host Ashes Tests in 2031.

England player Harry Brook echoed the sentiment of disappointment, telling Sky Sports, "Slightly, to be honest. I think we've had a hell of a lot of success here [Headingley] in Test match cricket. You go back to 2019 in the Ashes when Stokesy [Ben Stokes] played that ridiculous innings, then the last Ashes Test match a couple of years ago [2023, England win] where we kept the Ashes alive. I personally love playing here [Headingley]. It's a great venue. It's one of my favourites, if not my favourite ground to bat on as well."

Brook concluded, "It [lack of northern Test] is disappointing, but we don't make those decisions. The hierarchy make them and we just get told where to play."

Men's Ashes series in England 2027 Schedule:

All times UK and Ireland

First Test: Friday June 18 - Tuesday June 22 (11am) - Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Second Test: Wednesday June 30 - Sunday July 4 (11am) - Lord's

Third Test: Thursday July 8 - Monday July 12 (11am) - Edgbaston, Birmingham

Fourth Test: Wednesday July 21 - Sunday July 25 (11am) - Utilita Bowl, Southampton

Fifth Test: Thursday July 29 - Monday August 2 (11am) - The Kia Oval, London

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English Translation:

"Needs a game in the north!" - Butcher Questions "Extraordinary" Ashes Schedule

Former England batsman Mark Butcher has expressed his strong disapproval of the upcoming men's Ashes series schedule for 2027, calling it "extraordinary" and "bizarre" that no Test matches are slated for the north of England.

The venues for the 2027 Ashes against Australia were recently confirmed, revealing a lineup that excludes any ground north of Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which will host the series opener. Iconic venues like Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester are notably absent from the five-Test schedule.

Returning venues include Lord's, Edgbaston, and the Kia Oval. The Utilita Bowl in Southampton will, however, host a men's Ashes Test for the first time.

The omission of northern grounds has drawn criticism from players, pundits, and fans alike. Butcher articulated his concerns, stating, "I think anybody but the most partisan Hampshire cricket supporter would recognise that in a sport and particularly in a series like the Ashes, where the interest in the game is at its peak at any point over a four-year cycle, that the game being marketed as a game for everybody needs to have some representation and needs to have a game in the north."

He added, "Whether that's here at Headingley or whether it's at Old Trafford, that's a point for the bean counters to decide, or whoever's turn that might be. I find it extraordinary that there'll be no Ashes cricket up in the north of England beyond Trent Bridge next year. It's bizarre."

Butcher also highlighted the historical significance of grounds like Headingley and Old Trafford for Ashes cricket, noting that while the Utilita Bowl is a new addition, it lacks the same storied past.

Although England Women are set to play a Test at Headingley against Australia next summer as part of a multi-format series, the venue will not host another men's Ashes Test after the current series against Pakistan until 2029. Both Old Trafford and Headingley are scheduled to host Ashes Tests in 2031.

England player Harry Brook echoed the sentiment of disappointment, telling Sky Sports, "Slightly, to be honest. I think we've had a hell of a lot of success here [Headingley] in Test match cricket. You go back to 2019 in the Ashes when Stokesy [Ben Stokes] played that ridiculous innings, then the last Ashes Test match a couple of years ago [2023, England win] where we kept the Ashes alive. I personally love playing here [Headingley]. It's a great venue. It's one of my favourites, if not my favourite ground to bat on as well."

Brook concluded, "It [lack of northern Test] is disappointing, but we don't make those decisions. The hierarchy make them and we just get told where to play."

Men's Ashes Series in England 2027 Schedule:

All times UK and Ireland

First Test: Friday June 18 - Tuesday June 22 (11am) - Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Second Test: Wednesday June 30 - Sunday July 4 (11am) - Lord's

Third Test: Thursday July 8 - Monday July 12 (11am) - Edgbaston, Birmingham

Fourth Test: Wednesday July 21 - Sunday July 25 (11am) - Utilita Bowl, Southampton

Fifth Test: Thursday July 29 - Monday August 2 (11am) - The Kia Oval, London