Ashes legal dispute: Hampshire damages claim led to lack of 2027 Test in north of England

Hampshire paid £1m by ECB after missing out in 2023

County challenged decision to give Headingley match

The lack of Ashes cricket in the north of England next summer is the result of a legal dispute that followed the allocation of venues for the 2023 series against Australia, which also involved the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) paying about £1m in damages to Hampshire.

The Guardian can reveal that Hampshire brought a legal challenge against the ECB after missing out on hosting the Ashes in 2023 to Yorkshire, who staged the third Test – which England won by three wickets – at Headingley.