England v Pakistan can be a reminder of why test cricket belongs at Headingley

Cricket is woven into the fabric of this great region, whether it is fans following the fortunes of Yorkshire County Cricket Club or the latest international involving England.

Lord’s may be the spiritual home of cricket but some of the most memorable moments in recent years have played out on the turf at Headingley.

As England start their test series against Pakistan in Leeds today, it is worth remembering the importance of the North and Headingley in particular hosting test match cricket regularly.

There is still widespread disappointment amongst fans here that there will be no Ashes test next year, when England and Australia do battle over the famous urn.

The previous two Ashes tests at the ground, in 2019 and 2023, proved not only fruitful for England but also showed the watching world the stage that this famous old ground can be. Who could forget the raucous reaction of the Western Terrace on those occasions?

At a time when the popularity of the long form of the sport is waning, the England-Pakistan match is an opportunity for spectators to show that test cricket is alive in this part of the world and that Headingley should not be overlooked for tests for any summer, never mind the Ashes.

With Yorkshire’s Joe Root returning as captain of the men’s test team and Harry Brook at the helm of the limited overs teams, the influence of the county on English cricket is evident.

The game of cricket stretches far beyond the southern counties, the biggest matches need to be hosted here in God’s Own Country.