Hampshire legal dispute leads to absence of Ashes cricket in Northern England

The absence of Ashes cricket in the north of England next summer stems from a legal settlement between the England and Wales Cricket Board and Hampshire. Following the allocation of venues for the 2023 Ashes series against Australia, Hampshire challenged the governing body’s decision to award a Test match to Headingley. That venue in Yorkshire hosted the third Test, where England secured a three-wicket victory. The dispute resulted in the England and Wales Cricket Board paying approximately £1m in damages to Hampshire. This financial settlement and the preceding legal conflict influenced the venue selection process for the upcoming series, resulting in no matches being scheduled in the north of England.

• 5:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — Ashes legal dispute: Hampshire damages claim led to lack of 2027 Test in north of England