FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has joined the criticism of price hikes for next summer’s men’s Ashes, describing the climbing costs at Edgbaston as “really poor.”

Vaughan famously brought the urn home after 18 years as skipper of the 2005 team, when prices were less extreme and fans at home had access to free-to-air coverage on Channel 4.

Ticket ballots for the 2027 series opened for the five venues on Wednesday, with supporters reacting with shock at some of the charges.

Warwickshire drew particular attention from commenters on social media, with adult general sale seats listed between £115 and £250 for the first three days of the third Test. The popular Hollies Stand, seen as one of the loudest and most partisan in the country, comes in at £165, up £50 from the counterpart fixture in 2023.

Reposting a news article citing the 43 per cent rise, Vaughan wrote on X: “This is really poor.”

An Edgbaston Stadium spokesperson said: “Our prices for the 2027 Ashes Test are broadly in line with other host venues and major British sporting events such as Wimbledon and the Formula One at Silverstone. Our entry-level ticket prices roughly match inflation compared to the last time Australia visited Edgbaston in 2023 — but like the rest of the country, we’re battling increased costs and trying to manage these wherever we can.”

Price structures elsewhere vary, with the cheapest rate of £95 for days one to four at first-time Ashes venue the Rose Bowl.

At Lord’s the most expensive public tickets come in at £195, up £5 from the previous series, with the cheapest being £100 for a “category E” restricted view. The premium attached to the Australia rivalry is clear, with the same ground selling places for the Bangladesh Test in May between £40-£80 for days one and two, or £25-£60 for days three and four.

The England and Wales Cricket Board, which allocates the matches but has no direct say on pricing, declined to comment.