Ashes 2023: Fourth Test drawn due to rain, Australia retain Ashes

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Manchester. The Fourth Test at Old Trafford here on Sunday ended in a draw due to rain. Australia managed to retain the Ashes. The urn will be taken back to Australia after the series is over.

England needed five wickets to win and Australia needed 61 runs to force the hosts to bat again. The Ben Stokes-led side were in a strong position for most of the match, but lost their chance to win as rain called off no play on the fifth day.

This is the first time that England have played a draw under the leadership of Stokes. After being on the backfoot in Manchester, Australia now have a chance to win a series in England for the first time since 2001.

England will now be hoping to win the fifth and final Ashes Test starting at The Oval on June 27 and end the series on a fine note by drawing the series 2-2. Earlier, rain ruined two sessions of play on the fourth day on Saturday.

On Sunday, with the weather forecast to worsen and the rain showing no signs of abating, large potholes began to form on the outfield. Lunch was taken early as pitch inspection was postponed due to rain.

There was some hope of play starting when play was announced to start at 1:00 p.m. local time, but play was again interrupted by rain. By 5:24 pm local time, the match between the two teams was forced to end in a draw.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain said on Sky Sports, “It’s the worst way to end (England’s chances of regaining the Ashes). Whatever we’ve seen in a great series, it was followed by two days of rain in July. Not a dull session. It’s disappointing for the spectators, the spectators and the players.”

Abbreviated Score :

Australia 317 and 214/5 in 71 overs (Marnus Labuschagne 111, Mitchell Marsh 31 not out; Mark Wood 3-27) drew with England on 592.

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