Fans and commentators angry as northern venues excluded from next Ashes

The decision to keep the 2027 Ashes away from Headingley and Old Trafford has sparked a wave of criticism across the cricketing community. Former England batsman Mark Butcher questioned the move during a live broadcast, saying that the sport is touted as a "game for the whole nation" and therefore deserves representation from every part of the country.

Butcher added that while the authorities may still decide on alternative northern grounds, the lack of any match in the north beyond Trent Bridge is “astonishing.” He echoed a sentiment shared by many supporters who view the north’s cricketing heritage as an essential component of the sport’s identity in England.