Bairstow destroys Australia - and all hope of fourth Test win
Australia have admitted they are desperately hoping for a weekend of rain in order to retain the Ashes at Old Trafford, after finishing day three on 4-113 and needing 162 more to make England bat again.
Australia’s top order again let them down on Friday afternoon, following a morning spent being pulverised by Jonny Bairstow as the hosts piled on 592 runs for their first innings.
The situation has left Australia with no hope of winning the fourth Test, instead left trying to protect their 2-1 lead and retain the urn with one more Test to play.
Marnus Labuschagne will be the man asked to lead the resistance, left not out on 44 with Mitch Marsh at the other end after Mark Wood ran through Steve Smith (17) and Travis Head (one) in the last hour.
Usman Khawaja (18) was also caught behind to the quick, who now has figures of 3-17 and again looms as England’s main destroyer.
David Warner’s frustrating series also continued amid the doom and gloom, out for 28 when he chopped on to Chris Woakes in a moment of indecisiveness outside off stump.
Heavy downpours are forecast for Manchester on Saturday, while showers are also predicted on day five.
But even if the rain does arrive, there is a very real risk it may not be enough to save Australia.
“I’d be very pleased [if it rained],” Josh Hazlewood said.
“It’s obviously forecast and forecasts can change all the time. Obviously rain and light plays a big part in cricket and has done forever.
“So yeah, it’d be great to lose a few overs here and there and make our job a little easier of hanging in there. That’s pretty obvious.”
The comments immediately raised eyebrows in England’s camp, with Jonny Bairstow suggesting it is not the way he would go about things.
“Obviously the way in
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