England to Face Bangladesh in One-Off Test Before Ashes Series
England will prepare for the Ashes series next summer with a one-off Test match against Bangladesh scheduled for late May. The venue for this fixture has not yet been decided and depends on the location chosen by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, which is set to take place the following month.
The ECB holds an agreement with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to host the next three WTC finals on a biennial basis until 2031. According to the terms of this contract, the final must be held in London. Lord’s Cricket Ground had been the preferred venue after hosting the previous two finals; however, concerns regarding the condition of the pitch have prompted the ECB to consider relocating the final to The Oval.
Earlier this month, England secured a 115-run victory over New Zealand at Lord’s. Although the match was extended over four days due to rain interruptions, it was completed in 166 overs, reflecting the bowler-friendly nature of the pitch.
The ECB’s contract with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) guarantees Lord’s the opportunity to host two Test matches each summer. If Lord’s is not selected for the WTC final, it is expected to host the one-off Test against Bangladesh.
Should this occur, London would host four of the seven Test matches scheduled for next summer, resulting in no Test cricket being played in the north of England. This venue distribution has already attracted criticism, as the Ashes series venues include Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, and the Rose Bowl in Southampton, alongside Lord’s and The Oval.
Old Trafford was initially anticipated to host England’s pre-Ashes Test match. However, Lancashire County Cricket Club is reportedly willing to forgo hosting duties provided they receive compensation from the ECB.
The decision to select Bangladesh as England’s opponent in the one-off Test may also raise questions. England is scheduled to play two Tests against Bangladesh in Dhaka and Chittagong in February, prior to the Ashes series. The Ashes will feature the 150th anniversary Test in March. Consequently, England will participate in nine consecutive Test matches in 2027 against either Bangladesh or Australia.
The ECB is expected to announce the full details of the 2027 summer schedule next month.
