It’s grim up north as 2027 cricket schedule is confirmed

Headingley – scene of some of Ashes cricket’s most memorable moments – is not quite left carrying an empty sack. It will stage the one-off women’s Ashes Test - a four-dayer starting on June 24 - and two men’s one-day internationals against Pakistan on May 21, and against New Zealand on September 25.

The Pakistan game is the third in a five-match series; the New Zealand clash the last of another and the final fixture of the international summer (actually it will be autumn by then, but don’t tell the ECB).

The Ashes venues have been known for some time, sparking plenty of criticism in the Broad Acres and beyond.

The dates are now confirmed as Trent Bridge (June 18-22), Lord’s (June 30-July 4), Edgbaston (July 8-12), Southampton (July 21-25) and The Oval (July 29-August 2).

England also play a Test against Bangladesh at Lord’s (May 28-June 1), meaning that four of the six Tests are in London or Southampton – actually five out of seven if you include the World Test Championship final, which will be held at The Oval (June 9-13).

Old Trafford has been compensated of a fashion with a four-day Ashes warm-up between Australia and England Lions (June 7-10), although that will not be much compensation should Australia reach that concurrent World Test Championship final, when the Lions’ game will be “subject to review”. Indeed, it would be difficult even for a side as adaptable as Australia to be in two places at once.

The women’s Ashes Test in Leeds kicks-off a multi-format series that continues with three T20 internationals and three one-day internationals. It will be the first women’s Ashes Test at Headingley since 2001, when Australia won by nine wickets on the back of an unbeaten double hundred by Karen Rolton.

The England men’s mixed disability team are also hosting Australia next year, with dates and venues to be confirmed.