England cricketers Mark Wood and Jack Leach expressed their disappointment at the omission of northern venues for the 2027 men’s Ashes. They were surprised to see the schedule and said that it amazes them that there isn’t even a single game.
Ashes 2023: “I’m surprised there isn’t at least one game,” Mark Wood express his disappointment at the omission of northern venues for the 2027 men’s Ashes
England and Wales Cricket Board revealed the schedule for the venues for the Ashes 2027 in England. What caught the attention of many was two iconic venues in Headingley and Old Trafford, which are hosting Ashes 2023, won’t host even a single game.
The two iconic venues in Headingley and Old Trafford have been given the rights to host the games in Ashes 2031. During the 2027 series, Ageas Bowl in Southampton along with Trent Bridge in Nottingham has replaced two venues in the next Ashes that will take place in 2027.
Headingley and Old Trafford not hosting any games in Ashes 2027 didn’t go well with northern lad Mark Wood. The speedster said that although he understands there might be some reason behind this but the venues aren’t event hosting on game. Speaking to talkSPORT, he expressed his disappointment and said:
“As a lad from the north, obviously I love playing in the north. Headingley has had some [amazing] games: obviously in the last series with Ben Stokes and this one was another great game. Old Trafford’s an iconic place to play. Durham as well… to see Test-match cricket up in the north at Durham is always special.
“I understand some of the reasons why but [I am] surprised there isn’t at least one game up here, because I think we get great support and I think they’re iconic places to play. [I’m] a little bit disappointed, just being from the north, that there isn’t one up here where you feel like you’ve got that extra backing and you can relate with people up here.”
Ashes 2023: “You want to make the most of home advantage,” Jack Leach expresses their disappointment at the omission of northern venues for the 2027 men’s Ashes
Not only Mark Wood, Jack Leach too wasn’t quite impressed with Headingley and Old Trafford not hosting games in Ashes 2027. He said that the two venues allowed them to make full use of the home advantage and with them not being there, it’ll make a difference.
“You want to make the most of home advantage don’t you? And those grounds, you definitely feel like you’ve got potentially that. I think about going to Australia and the amount of stick I got or we all got there and maybe, with those grounds [Old Trafford and Headingley], you feel like the opposition gets it a little bit. You get it when you go to that place. And I think that actually can make a big difference.” Leach told the Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club podcast.
Ashes 2023 currently stands at 2-1 with Australia in the lead. The next match is slated to take place in Manchester from 19th July.
