It's The Ashes (again)

[Tom Joad]

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF.    Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

The only northern grounds that should be considered are Old Trafford and Durham. Headingley should be nowhere near a test match till Yorkshire CC put there house in order. How they were awarded the 3rd test is beyond belief. Trent Bridge or Durham should have got it.

I sort of agree on the principle. The admittedly weak argument would be the huge investment put into Headingley. Old Trafford with it's 8500 temporary seats is the very opposite of encouraging investment.

---

I listened to Andy Burnham talking on TMS, friday. He was, justifiably IMO, bemoaning no Ashes tests north of Trent Bridge next time around. It all made sense TBF.    Then you get a fuckin' weekend like this!

Manchester is in a problem area owing to its geography, Leeds isn't as bad. Also, Old Trafford is a shit ground.

Personally, I think Lords and the Oval should rotate as it's kind of unfair to have 2 of the 5 in London then 3 covering Edgbaston, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Headingley as well as grounds like the Rose Bowl and Sophia Gardens. That coupled with Lords always being used for another test tour in the same summer, it always has two tests. And we have a shit record against the Aussies at Lords.

This, massively. With 8500 temporary seats, OT just should not be allowed to hold a test in the best series in cricket. Also, I've ranted for years about London ALWAYS getting 2 tests. I'm not sure I like the other grounds either though, on the basis of the temporary seat business. Weather happens-  is all you can say, but whether the ground is up to it is different question that needs to be answered.