Table of Contents
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made a shocking choice by selecting Bangladesh as part of its preparations for next summer's Ashes. It is learnt that their men's national cricket team will face Bangladesh for a one-off Test ahead of the Ashes against the arch-rival Australia.
Final talks are yet to be done to decide the venue for the one-off Test. According to The Guardian, “England will prepare for the Ashes series next summer with a one-off Test against Bangladesh in late May. The venue has yet to be determined and is contingent upon where the England and Wales Cricket Board decides to stage the final of the World Test Championship the following month.”
England to arrange multiple Tests in 2026 and 2027
The selection of the venue for the Test against Bangladesh will depend on the venues for the following games and on previous fixtures. Until 2027, the ECB is scheduled to host multiple high-profile Tests.
As there are a limited number of venues for arranging top-class matches, the board will have to shuffle the venues according to the merit of the matches to maintain the pitches and outfields. In the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand, the ECB came under scrutiny because of the Lord’s surface, which became a bowler’s paradise.
The first match of the series turned into a low-scoring affair in both innings because of the bowling-friendly surface. Along with the Lord’s, there are other iconic grounds like the Oval, Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, and the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Lord's pitch was under the scanner
After the conclusion of the New Zealand series, the ECB will host Pakistan for a three-match Test series at Headingly, Lord’s, and Edgbaston, respectively, in 2026.
In the upcoming 2027 home international cricket season, the Three Lions will feature a one-off Test match against Pakistan in May, followed by the Men’s Ashes against Australia, and a standalone Test match for the Women's Ashes.
In between these bilateral contests, there will be the final of the ongoing cycle of the World Test Championship, and another one-off Test against Bangladesh; venues are yet to be confirmed.
Old Trafford emerges as a possible venue to host the one-off Test vs Bangladesh
For the one-off Test against Bangladesh, Old Trafford has emerged as a possible venue, as the report mentioned, “Old Trafford had been expected to stage England’s pre-Ashes Test, although Lancashire is understood to be happy to sit out as long as they receive compensation from the ECB.”
Why has the England and Wales Cricket Board chosen Bangladesh ahead of the 50th anniversary Test against Australia in the following month? It raises some questions. Before facing Australia for the historic Ashes, the Three Lions are scheduled to travel to Bangladesh for two Tests in Dhaka and Chittagong.
“The choice of Bangladesh as opponents may also raise eyebrows, as two Tests against them in Dhaka and Chittagong have been scheduled for February before England play Australia in the 150th anniversary Test the following month,” the media report highlighted the concerns.
