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ECB unveils 2027 schedule as Southampton awarded first-ever Ashes test match

Southampton have hosted seven test matches in its history
Southampton have hosted seven test matches in its historyAction Images via Reuters / Cat Goryn

Southampton's Utilita Bowl will host a men's Ashes test for the ⁠first time next year, with the men's and women's series against Australia again running concurrently, the England ‌and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.

Trent Bridge will host the first ‌men's test, starting on June 18th, while the ‌first match of the multi-format women's series, the sole test ‌match, begins at Headingley on June 24th.

Southampton will host ‌the fourth men's test starting on July 21st.

A packed summer of cricket in England will also include 10 ODIs for the ‌England men's team while the final of ⁠the World Test Championship ‌will take place at London's Oval.

The men's and women's Ashes were ​also held at the same time in England in 2023, boosting crowds for the women's fixtures.

"The ​last time Australia were here made for captivating cricket, in a way that only the Ashes can provide, ⁠as both of our ​Men's and Women's teams fought back to level the series in dramatic circumstances," ECB Chief Executive Officer Richard Gould said in a statement.

"Next summer will see the men's team ‌play a Rothesay Ashes Test at the Utilita Bowl for the very first time, while the women's team will play an Ashes Test at Headingley for the first time since 2001."

England's men will start their home season with a five-match ODI series against Pakistan, starting at Southampton on May 15. England will also play a five-match ODI series against New Zealand later in the ‌summer as well as a one-off test against Bangladesh ​starting at Lord's on May 28th.

The World Test Championship ‌final will start on June 9th, with the ECB confirming that the fixture will also be hosted in England in 2029 and 2031.

"We ‌are honoured to be staging the next three ICC World Test Championship Finals, and ​we're pleased to confirm that The Oval will play host again next ‌year," Neil Snowball, ECB Managing Director, Competitions and Major Events, said.

Next year will be the 150th anniversary of test cricket, the game's longest format.

Men's Ashes series

1st test - June 18th-22nd - Trent Bridge

2nd test - June 30th-July 4th - Lord's

3rd ⁠test - July 8th-12th - Edgbaston

4th ⁠test - July 21st-25th - Southampton

5th ‌test - July 29th-August 2nd - London Oval