'Needs a game in the north!' - Butcher questions 'extraordinary' Ashes schedule

Former England batsman Mark Butcher has voiced his strong disapproval of the 2027 Ashes men's series schedule, labeling the decision to exclude any venues in the north of England as "extraordinary" and "bizarre."

The venues for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia were recently confirmed, and notably, no ground north of Trent Bridge in Nottingham, which will host the series opener, was included in the five-Test lineup.

While established grounds like Lord's, Edgbaston, and the Kia Oval will host matches, the Utilita Bowl in Southampton is set to stage a men's Ashes Test for the first time. This means that prominent venues such as Headingley in Leeds and Old Trafford in Manchester will be absent from the schedule.

The omission of northern grounds has drawn criticism from players, commentators, and fans alike. Butcher emphasized the importance of inclusivity in a sport that aims to appeal to a wide audience, particularly for a major event like the Ashes.

"I believe anyone who isn't a staunch Hampshire supporter would acknowledge that in a sport, and especially in a series like the Ashes, where interest is at its highest point within a four-year cycle, the game marketed as being for everyone needs to have some representation and a game in the north," Butcher stated to Sky Sports.

"Whether that's here at Headingley or at Old Trafford is a matter for the financial experts or whoever's turn it might be to decide."

He continued, "I find it extraordinary that there will be no Ashes cricket in the north of England beyond Trent Bridge next year. It's bizarre.

"Naturally, as a player, I have a certain fondness for this ground [Headingley] and for Old Trafford. I also believe that for visiting teams, there are five or six grounds with immense historical significance in Ashes cricket.

"Sadly, the Utilita Bowl is not one of them."

England Women are scheduled to play Australia in a Test match at Headingley as part of a multi-format series next summer. However, Headingley is not slated to host another men's Ashes Test after the upcoming match against Pakistan until 2029.

Both Old Trafford and Headingley have been allocated an Ashes Test in 2031, with Edgbaston and the Utilita Bowl missing out in that particular series. However, England batsman Harry Brook also expressed his disappointment regarding the absence of northern venues in the 2027 edition.

When asked about his level of disappointment, Brook commented to Sky Sports ahead of the third day of their first Test against Pakistan, "Slightly, to be honest. I think we've had a tremendous amount of success here [Headingley] in Test match cricket.

"You recall the 2019 Ashes when Stokesy [Ben Stokes] played that unbelievable innings, and then the last Ashes Test match a couple of years ago [2023, England win] where we managed to keep the Ashes alive.

"Personally, I love playing here [Headingley]. It's a fantastic venue. It's one of my favourites, if not my favourite ground to bat on as well.

"It [the lack of a northern Test] is disappointing, but we don't make those decisions. The hierarchy makes them, and we're simply informed where to play."