Australia retain Ashes as rain washes away England's hopes of victory in fourth Test

Draw at Old Trafford means hosts, who needed to win series to recapture urn, can only level contest at The Oval

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JULY 23: Ben Stokes of England walks off the pitch as the rain starts to fall again on day five of the LV=Insurance Ashes 4th Test Match between England and Australia at Emirates Old Trafford on July 23, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images)Show less

Australia retained the Ashes on Sunday as England's hopes of winning the series were washed away in the Manchester rain.

The draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford means England can now only level the series at 2-2 if they win the final game at The Oval next week. As the holders, Australia only needed to draw the series to keep hold of the urn.

Ben Stokes's side had battled their way back to 2-1 in the contest after their three-wicket victory at Headingley.

And England were well on top at Old Trafford before the weather intervened to the frustration of the home side's players and fans alike.

Only 30 overs were bowled on the fourth day as England reduced Australia to 214-5 at tea in their second innings. The tourists were still trailing England's first-innings total of 592 by 61 runs, in spite of Marnus Labuschagne's 111 off 173 balls. It was his first Test century in England and second outside Australia.

The rain then brought an early halt to the day's action, with Mitchell Marsh (31) and Cameron Green (three) unbeaten for the visitors.

The home side would have still backed themselves to take the remaining wickets on the final day and knock off any runs required for victory.

But the weather put paid to any chances of a resumption in play – and with it killed off England's Ashes dream – as the match was called off by the umpires at around 5pm in the evening.

England captain Stokes said after the match: “It is a tough one to take. Playing the cricket we managed to play over the first three days and get on the wrong side of the weather it is tough to take but it is all part of the journey.

“Coming into the game, knowing what we needed to do, played into our hands a little bit. It was another do-or-die game for us. Winning the toss and bowling Australia out for 320 then scoring 570 at nearly six runs an over, I don’t think we could have done too much more.

“It will be tough to look back on but there is one more game to go and we'll be trying to tie the series and a lot of pride to play for.

“The injury to Ollie Pope made us think about the structure of our team and bringing in Chris Woakes helps so much. I'm very pleased with everyone's efforts that has played in this series.”

Australia captain Cummins said: “Our preference is to come over here and win the Ashes but it is nice to retain. It's not the best circumstances but the group should be proud of themselves.

“It does feel very different to 2019 here. We wanted to win this time. Whatever happened here today it doesn't really change how we look at The Oval next week.

“It is only the last year or two I've dreamt of holding the Ashes aloft. We've turned up motivated and it will be a very special moment at The Oval and even more special if we get a win.

“It was tough in the field this week. They batted really well. We tried a few different things and it didn't come off. We weren't at our best with some planning and particularly our execution but they played fantastically on the second day.

“Marnus Labuschagne was fantastic, along with Marshy yesterday. He had a real flow to his game. It was good to show his class.”

Rain ends England's Ashes dream – in pictures

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  England captain Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum react as the rain continues to fall on day five of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. Getty

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  Covers protect the pitch as the rain falls at Old Trafford. PA

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  Australia captain pat Cummins gives the thumbs up to fans. Getty

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  England players Stuart Broad and James Anderson show their frustration. Getty

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  England captain Ben Stokes watches the rain fall from the players' balcony on Day 5 of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford on July 23, 2023. The match was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled and Australia retain the Ashes as a result. Getty

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  England players James Anderson, Ben Duckett and Moeen Ali in the rain at Old Trafford. Getty

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  England's Harry Brook, left, and England's Zak Crawley sign autographs as rain delays play. AFP

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  Ben Stokes of England walks off the pitch as the rain starts to fall again at Old Trafford. Getty

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  Fans play cricket behind the stands at Old Trafford. PA

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  England's Jonny Bairstow returns to the dressing room as the rain starts again. PA

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  Fans sit in the stands at Old Trafford. Reuters

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  A cricket fan waits in the rain at Old Trafford. Getty

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  Fans play cricket behind the stands at Old Trafford. PA