Former England Test captain Ben Stokes has hit out at the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to leave Headingley out of the 2027 men’s Ashes schedule, calling the move “shambolic”. Stokes’ comments came shortly after England’s emphatic innings-and-103-run victory over Pakistan at Headingley in the first Test of their three-match series.Newly appointed Test captain Joe Root had earlier described Headingley’s absence from next year’s Ashes schedule as a “shame”, pointing to England’s outstanding record at the Leeds venue. Reacting to a social media post carrying Root’s comments, Stokes said the word did not adequately describe his frustration.“Shame is an understatement. Shambolic would be more appropriate. Great win though,” Stokes wrote on his Instagram story.
Headingley, Old Trafford left out of 2027 Ashes
The ECB has selected Trent Bridge, Lord’s, Edgbaston, the Rose Bowl (Utilita Bowl) and The Oval as the five venues for the 2027 men’s Ashes series. The decision means there will be no Ashes Test in the north of England, with Headingley and Manchester’s Old Trafford both missing from the schedule.The omission has attracted criticism given the history and significance of both venues in the Ashes. Headingley, in particular, has been one of England’s most successful Test grounds in recent years and currently boasts a seven-match winning streak.
Headingley holds special place in Ashes history
The Leeds venue also has a special connection with Stokes. It was at Headingley during the 2019 Ashes that he produced one of the most memorable innings in Test history, scoring an unbeaten 135 to guide England to a dramatic one-wicket victory over Australia. Stokes’ latest criticism comes after Root highlighted the significance of playing Ashes cricket in northern venues.“It’s a shame,” Root had said following England’s victory over Pakistan, referring to Headingley’s omission from the 2027 schedule.While Headingley and Old Trafford are scheduled to return to the Ashes rotation in 2031, their absence from the 2027 series means northern England will go without a men’s Ashes Test for the entire cycle between the two editions.
