England set to host Bangladesh for one-off Test in 2027

England is reportedly set to host Bangladesh in a one-off Test in late May 2027, ahead of the home Ashes series against Australia, which is set to commence later that year.

The venue for the match is yet to be decided, and is heavily dependent upon where the 2027 ICC World Test Championship Final will be hosted. England head to Bangladesh for a two-match Test series in February 2027, before the 150th Anniversary one-off Test against Australia in Melbourne in March. This could mean the Three Lions play nine Tests against Australia and Bangladesh in a short span.

As reported by The Guardian, the ECB have an agreement with the ICC to host the World Test Championship Finals in London until 2031. Lord's has been tipped as the venue for the 2027 final, after hosting the 2023 and 2025 finals. But with concerns surrounding the pitch at the historic venue, the ECB are considering shifting the summit clash to the Oval.

The ECB’s contract with the Marylebone Cricket Club guarantees two Tests for each summer, which means if Lord's gets overlooked for the WTC final, it is assumed that the venue would host the Bangladesh game. The Lord's pitch has been a subject of major scrutiny, with England wrapping up a 115-run victory against New Zealand in just 166 overs on a wicket which heavily aided bowlers with variable bounce and movement.

The ECB have been denounced for their choice of venues for the 2027 Ashes, with games set to be played at Edgbaston, Trent Bridge and the Rose Bowl, along with the Oval and Lord's. With Lord's also slated to host the Bangladesh clash, there would be no Test cricket played at northern venues such as Headingley and Old Trafford for the year.

As further reported, Old Trafford was expected to host the pre-Ashes Test in 2027, but Lancashire are reportedly ready to step aside provided they receive fair compensation from the ECB. The ECB are expected to confirm the final details of the schedule for the 2027 summer by next month.