- The England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould has confirmed that there will always be at least one Ashes Test match played in the North of England until 2039.
- The commitment follows significant criticism after major northern venues Headingley and Old Trafford were excluded from hosting men's Ashes matches for the 2027 series.
- England Test captain Ben Stokes previously described the 2027 scheduling as "shambolic", prompting Gould to assure supporters that a complete absence of northern Ashes Tests would not recur.
- Defending the 2027 schedule, Gould explained that the ECB needed to ensure fair nation-wide distribution across seven Test venues, noting that both Headingley and Old Trafford hosted Ashes matches in 2023.
- Addressing public backlash over rising ticket prices, Gould argued that ticket costs are comparable to major live events like Glastonbury and emphasised that all profits are reinvested back into cricket.
IN FULL
ECB promises Ashes Test in north until at least 2039 after backlash
