Saved by the rain: Australia retain Ashes after high drama
Manchester | Australia have retained the Ashes afterpersistent Manchester rain forced the final day of the fourth Ashes Test to be abandoned.
Under pressure to try to save the game, Australia had been poised to resume on 5-214 with 61 runs still needed to make England bat again.
But instead they were able to watch the rain fall throughout the day, allowing them to retain their 2-1 lead in the series with one more match to be played.
There had been a brief hope of play after lunch on Sunday, but moments after the umpires approved a 1pm start, the rain returned.
And from that point it never let up, before umpires and the two teams agreed to call the match off at 5:23pm.
Australia’s effort to retain the Ashes marks the fourth straight series they will have them in their keeping, after winning them back from England in 2017-18.
But the draw in Manchester marks an incredibly anti-climactic way for Australia to retain the urn, after a series of high drama and close matches.
The England team played football as they waited out the rain. Getty
“Obviously not the best circumstances,” captain Pat Cummins said.
“2019 felt a little bit different (when Australia retained the Ashes at Manchester). It was a climax late on day five.
“This feels a little different. It’s not been our best week, so rain probably helped us out there.”
England already felt aggrieved by their controversial 43-run loss to Australia at Lord’s earlier this month,furious when Jonny Bairstow was stumped in the run chase.
The first Test at Edgbaston was also won by Australia in thrilling circumstances, after Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins put on a match-winning 55-run ninth-wicket partnership.
Hardcore fans showed up with umbrellas but were left disappointed. Getty
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