RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesJoe Root said "it would be nice to have a choice" over the venues where his England team play as they leave Headingley until 2029.
England's crushing victory over Pakistan is their seventh consecutive win in Leeds, their longest current winning streak at any ground in the world.
But they do not return for a Test at Headingley for three years, meaning they will not have the advantage of playing on this ground in next summer's home Ashes series.
It was put to Root that Australia would be unlikely to give up the advantage of hosting England at their most successful venues when the urn is contested down under.
Australia have not lost an Ashes Test at the Gabba in Brisbane since 1986, or been beaten by England in Perth since 1978.
"Obviously this is a slightly different system here and a different way that things are done," said Yorkshire batter Root.
"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.
"It's one that we generally do well at and I love playing here - as the Yorkshireman I have to say that from birth, so I'm glad it's the case."
For Root, the innings victory sealed inside three days against Pakistan was the ideal start to his second spell as captain.
It also extended England's run of wins at Headingley, which began in 2018. Their longest winning streak at another ground is six at Chester-le-Street.
The decision for Headingley and Old Trafford to miss out on the 2027 Ashes roster was announced in 2023.
But the match allocation has once again come into focus after the schedule for next year's series was confirmed in July.
Nottingham's Trent Bridge will be the most northerly ground to host a men's Ashes Test, with Southampton given an England-Australia Test for the first time. Headingley will instead play host to a women's Ashes Test.
Headingley staged a men's Ashes Test in 2019 and 2023, both matches England won. 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.
Overall, England's record of nine home Ashes wins in Leeds is bettered only by their 17 at The Oval, and The Oval has hosted 36 Ashes Tests compared to Headingley's 26.
"I would love to play as many games as possible here," said Root. "It's a great Test-match venue, a surface that provides brilliant Test cricket, and one we've had quite a lot of success on recently.
"It's a shame we don't get to play here next year, but I'm sure we will see many, many more brilliant Test matches here."
Headingley will next host a men's Ashes Test in 2031, from when the England and Wales Cricket has said it will keep at least one Test in Leeds or Manchester in the allocation for every home Ashes series. Southampton will get a Test in alternate men's home Ashes.
Root looks set to lead England into next year's Ashes after returning to the captaincy.
The 35-year-old resumed a job he gave up four years ago following the retirement of Ben Stokes.
Root will form a new-look leadership team with Stephen Fleming, who has replaced Brendon McCullum as Test coach.
However, Fleming is not yet in post, with Marcus Trescothick acting as interim coach for the Pakistan series.
Fleming is due to arrive in the UK in September, possibly not before the Pakistan series is over, but Root revealed the pair had been in contact throughout the win at Headingley.
"Every day. I think he's kept tabs on things," said Root. "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. There's been constant communication with me and Marcus as well."
Former England opener Trescothick was an assistant to McCullum when the New Zealander was in charge of both the Test and white-ball teams.
England are yet to confirm the make-up of their backroom team now Fleming and McCullum are sharing head coach responsibilities.
And Trescothick said he would "love" to continue working 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."
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