Joe Root has suggested that it would be “nice to have a choice” regarding the venues where England plays, following the confirmation that Headingley will not host a men’s Ashes Test until 2031. The Yorkshire batter’s comments come as England celebrates a dominant three-day victory over Pakistan at the Leeds ground, extending their winning streak at the venue to seven consecutive matches—the team’s longest current run at any stadium worldwide.
Despite this success, England will not return to Headingley for a Test match for three years, meaning the team will be denied the home-field advantage of the venue during next summer’s Ashes series. When asked about the prospect of playing at grounds where the team has historically thrived, Root acknowledged the difference between the English system and the approach taken by nations like Australia, where the hosts often leverage their most successful venues to secure an advantage. Historically, Australia has remained unbeaten in Ashes Tests at the Gabba in Brisbane since 1986 and has not lost to England in Perth since 1978.
“Obviously this is a slightly different system here and a different way that things are done,” Root said. “I think I should probably stay in my lane and understand that it’s someone else’s job to sort out. As a player, you want to play at the grounds you have most success at as a team, clearly.” He added that as a Yorkshireman, he loves playing at Headingley and would prefer to feature there as often as possible, describing it as a venue that produces “brilliant Test cricket.”
The current match allocation, which excludes Headingley and Old Trafford from the 2027 Ashes roster, was finalized in 2023. Under the Headingley is instead slated to host a women’s Ashes Test. Looking ahead, the England and Wales Cricket Board has committed to ensuring at least one Test is held in Leeds or Manchester for every future home Ashes series starting in 2031.
Headingley has been the site of several iconic moments in English cricket, including the dramatic 2019 Ashes win where Ben Stokes secured a one-wicket victory. The venue also hosted a legendary win over India in 2021 and a 2025 chase of 371 against the same opponents. While England has enjoyed nine home Ashes wins in Leeds, the record is surpassed by their 17 victories at The Oval, which has hosted 36 Ashes Tests compared to Headingley’s 26.
Root, 35, is currently leading England following his return to the captaincy, a role he previously held four years ago. He is working alongside a new leadership structure, with Stephen Fleming appointed as the new Test coach. Although Fleming is not yet in the country—with Marcus Trescothick serving as interim coach for the Pakistan series—Root confirmed that he has been in constant communication with the new coach throughout the Headingley Test.
“Every day. I think he’s kept tabs on things,” Root said regarding his contact with Fleming. “It’s just been great to have him on the end of the phone. I can speak to him as much or as little as I like, and it’s great that he’s very invested already in what we’re trying to achieve.”
Trescothick, who previously served as an assistant to former coach Brendon McCullum, expressed his desire to remain involved with the Test team. “I’ve a huge amount of respect for Stephen and what he’s done in the game,” Trescothick told Test Match Special. “He was a fantastic captain and leader and has done a brilliant job doing what he’s done as a coach. I’d love to carry on.” England has yet to finalize the full composition of the backroom staff under the new coaching arrangement. The report also notes that joe Root said “it would be nice to have a choice” over the venues where his England team play as they leave Headingley until 2029. The report also notes that so I’m glad it’s the case, it’s one that we generally do well at and I love playing here – as the Yorkshireman I have to say that from birth. The report also notes that for Root, the innings victory sealed inside three days against Pakistan was the ideal start to his second spell as captain. The report also notes that which began in 2018, it also extended England’s run of wins at Headingley. The report also notes that but the match allocation has once again come into focus after the schedule for next year’s series was confirmed in July. The report also notes that the 2019 win, inspired by Ben Stokes, was one of the most legendary contests in Ashes history, ranking alongside Ian Botham’s heroics of 1981 on the same ground.
