Public ticket ballots to be offered for 2019 Ashes

After revealing their full home match schedule for summer 2019, the ECB has announced that the Ashes venues for the five-match series between England and Australia will allocate tickets via the means of a public ballot.

The ECB cited anticipated high demands for tickets as the reasoning, with the home side bidding to regain the Ashes after a 4-0 humbling in Australia last winter.

Edgbaston, Lord's, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval will be staging the Tests and all will comply with the new ticket ballot regulations.

England and Wales' governing board also announced dates for a forthcoming ODI series and solitary T20I with limited overs high-flyers Pakistan, before a historic maiden four-day Test with Ireland. The Ashes series will complete the summer.

ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison spoke positively of the new ballot system. “Next summer’s schedule – with an ICC Cricket World Cup and an Ashes series at its heart is truly a season to savour for cricket fans of all ages, nationalities and cultures. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for us to build an even bigger following for all formats of the game.

“There is nothing more important to England cricket fans than an Ashes series. With the added element of being England’s first Test series in the new World Test Championship, it’s a hugely exciting prospect and we anticipate unprecedented demand for tickets. We would love to see fans from all over the world getting to experience the unique atmosphere of an Ashes Test Match after the ICC Cricket World Cup."

England's summer kicks off with the Pakistan T20I on 5 May, with the conclusion of the ODI series between the two sides falling on the 19th. After Ireland's visit to Lord's on 24 May, England's focus will switch to the Ashes series which spans from 1 August to 16 September.

ECB’s Men’s Major Match Schedule Summer 2019

Sun 5 May - England v Pakistan T20I - Cardiff

Wed 8 May - England v Pakistan 1st ODI D/N - The Oval
Sat 11 May - England v Pakistan 2nd ODI - Southampton
Tue 14 May - England v Pakistan 3rd ODI D/N - Bristol
Fri 17 May - England v Pakistan 4th ODI D/N - Trent Bridge
Sun 19 May - England v Pakistan 5th ODI - Headingley

Wed 24-Sat 27 July - England v Ireland 4-day Test - Lord’s

Thu 1-Mon 5 Aug - England v Australia 1st Test - Edgbaston
Wed 14-Sun 18 Aug - England v Australia 2nd Test - Lord’s
Thu 22-Mon 26 Aug - England v Australia 3rd Test - Headingley
Wed 4-Sun 8 Sept - England v Australia 4th Test - Old Trafford
Thu 12-Mon 16 Sept - England v Australia 5th Test - The Oval