England captain Joe Root and retired all-rounder Ben Stokes have criticised the scheduling of next summer's Ashes series, which will not include a Test at Headingley, England's most successful current venue. The comments came after England thrashed Pakistan inside three days at Headingley, extending their winning run there to seven consecutive Tests, the longest active streak at any ground in the world, and highlighting what both players see as a missed advantage ahead of facing Australia.

The decision to exclude Headingley and Old Trafford from the 2027 Ashes roster was made in 2023, with Trent Bridge now the most northerly venue and Southampton hosting an Ashes Test for the first time; Headingley will instead stage a women's Ashes match. Root called it "a shame" while Stokes was blunter, branding it "shambolic" on Instagram. Headingley, scene of England's famous 2019 win inspired by Stokes, has hosted nine home Ashes victories, second only to The Oval's 17, and will not host a men's Ashes Test again until 2031, when the ECB has pledged to guarantee at least one Test in Leeds or Manchester each home series.