‘FFS!’: England fumes at umpire’s brazen act in Fourth Ashes Test

Australia tested the patience of the English side on day four of the Fourth Test, but it was umpire Joel Wilson who left the Poms fuming.

England fans were fuming after a brazen decision by umpire Joel Wilson. Pictures: Getty

Australia’s hopes of forcing a draw in the Fourth Test have risen dramatically after a frustrating day four in Manchester for the host side.

After the first session was lost to rain, England was given a two-hour window to wrap up the match but only managed to snare one of the six Aussie wickets it needed to square the series 2-2.

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The Poms did grab the most important scalp on offer as Joe Root removed Marnus Labuschagne, but not before the Aussie No. 3 had scored a fighting ton to help reduce the deficit to 61 runs when rain prevented any play after tea.

Not much went England’s way as a soft ball made it difficult for its seam attack before a comical decision by the umpires left Ben Stokes fuming.

Umpires Nitin Menon (l) and Joel Wilson talk to England captain Ben Stokes after they deem the light not good enough to continue with fast bowlers during day four. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Midway through the 30-over session umpire Joel Wilson declared it was too dark for fast bowling, forcing England to turn to the spin of Moeen Ali and Joe Root for what became the last 13 overs of the day.

Wilson enraged the locals by making the call with his own sunglasses planted firmly on his face, prompting bemused laughter from Michael Atheron and Mark Butcher in the commentary box.

“He must have the light intensifiers on,” Butcher said in commentary.

Remarkable decision made by Joel Wilson, who’s still wearing his sunglasses. #Ashes

— Cat Jones (@Cricketbatcat) July 22, 2023

Too dark for Mark Wood? The light hasn't changed all day ffs #Ashes2023

— Chris Stocks (@StocksC_cricket) July 22, 2023

Australia haven’t been able to see Mark Wood’s bowling all series but now it matters?

— Ben Gardner (@Ben_Wisden) July 22, 2023

Mark Wood should just carry on, saying he's gonna bowl offies, but slide in the 150kph quicker variation

— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) July 22, 2023

The introduction of the spin pair turned the action on its head as the runs began flowing from Labuschagne’s bat.

He twice hit Root down the ground for six before bringing up just his second overseas Test century and his first anywhere in seven months.

Labuschagne had endured a torrid tour until this match, failing to post a half century in the first three Ashes Tests before scores of 51 and 111 here.

But he was accused by Butcher of “getting loose” against Root after reaching triple figures and will rue his departure just four overs before the end of play.

Marnus Labuschagne stood up when it counted. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Mitch Marsh continued his emergence as one of the most solid batsmen in the Aussie order, batting through the day to finish 31 not out at stumps alongside Cameron Green (three not out) with Australia 5/214.

Now for the all-important question: what’s the weather forecast for day five?

“Forecast tomorrow is not good,” local scribe Chris Stocks tweeted at stumps. “Looks like there will be a 90-minute window in the morning and maybe one hour after lunch but it all depends on how soaked the outfield is. You’d think the five wickets needed must come before Australia reach parity.”

That will be music to the ears of the visitors who looked dead and buried in this match after England dominated the first three days.

Australia has a longer-than-normal tail with Pat Cummins batting at 10 and the pitch held up well on day four.

But the pressure in the middle was off the charts as the crowd came alive following Labuschagne’s dismissal so any breakthrough on day five could spark a collapse.

Knowing this series, it will likely go down to the wire.

3.30am - Stumps declared

The umpires have called off the day’s play after one final look at the centre of the ground.

2.20am - Further play today looking unlikely

The covers are back on and it’s raining steadily at Old Trafford.

Play will not resume at the completion of the tea break and any further action today is looking unlikely.

2am - Marnus gets a ton, then ‘gets loose’ and gets out

Marnus Labuschagne now has two overseas centuries in his career - and his first ton in seven months after a fighting knock for his country.

The No. 3 has had a pretty torrid tour at times but delivered in difficult circumstances before departing for 111.

Labuschagne was accused by English commentator Mark Butcher of “getting too loose” against the spin of Joe Root after reaching triple figures.

He nicked an arm ball to the boundary and then a couple of overs later attempted to cut a ball that bounced more than he was expecting and nicked it to Jonny Bairstow.

It was a fine catch by the English keeper, who is enjoying a sensational match, and gave England its first breakthrough of a frustrating day.

The end of the 103-run partnership for Australia’s fifth wicket brought Cameron Green to the crease. He survived an England review for a catch at first slip to be three not out at the tea break.

Mitch Marsh was 31 not off 107 deliveries as Australia reached 5/214, still trailing by 61 runs.

It’s up to the all-rounders from here. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

1.20am - ‘FFS!’: England fume at umpire’s brazen act

Ben Stokes was fuming and Michael Atherton and Mark Butcher were laughing in the commentary box after a brazen move by umpire Joel Wilson.

Midway through the session, Wilson declared it was too dark for pace bowling, sidelining Mark Wood, Jimmy Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes.

England was forced to introduce the spin of Moeen Ali and Joe Root - all while Wilson continued to wear a pair of sunglasses.

But there were still danger signs for Australia as Moeen’s third delivery bounced sharply off a good length and Root, while expensive, created headaches of his own.

It was suddenly all happening as Marnus Labuschagne upped the scoring, hitting Root for a pair of sixes down the ground to bring the deficit under 100 runs.

1am - First job done for Australia

Marnus Labuschagne (71 not out from 134 balls) and Mitch Marsh (19 from 65) have denied England for the first 14 overs of day four to leave Australia 4/159 at drinks.

It’s overcast but a pitch that was perfect for batting through three days is holding together well.

There’s a long way to go but it’s a decent start for the visitors as they managed to take 46 runs off the deficit.

12.10am - ‘Shock’ Aussie ploy riles English fans

The Poms are going to be red-hot on any apparent time-wasting by the Aussies during this innings.

Marnus Labuschagne was rapped on the fingers by Mark Wood early in the session, prompting a visit to the centre by the Aussie physio.

A selection of replacement gloves was also brought out, prompting the official Barmy Army Twitter account to post: “Aussies sending out the subs with the gloves already. Shock.”

Labuschagne brought up a fighting 50 soon after as he looms as the key wicket for England.

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne checks his hand after mis-hitting a shot off England's Mark Wood. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

11.45pm - Play is officially underway

Not what the Aussies wanted to hear but the cricket is off and running at Old Trafford with Marnus Labuschange and Mitchell Marsh at the crease.

Tea has been scheduled for 2am (AEST), so England has 135 minutes to take six wickets if it wants to square the series today.

English speedster Mark Wood was supremely confident the Poms could get the job done quickly before play got back underway.

Wood told Sky Sports: “There’s a few apps going around in the dressing room. We’ve got every one of them covered. We’re pretty optimistic at the minute.

“They’re saying there will be a bit of a break, so hopefully we can get some play in and really push it home.

“We’ve had a game of cards, but I hate sitting still for more than two seconds, I want to be doing something.

“There’s a few lads asleep on their bags, other lads doing crosswords, but I can’t sit still for too long.”

10.05pm - Covers coming off

The rain has eased and the covers are being removed although plenty of rain remains on the outfield which could delay proceedings still.

A pitch inspection is set to take place at 11pm.

It’s good news for England and the last thing Pat Cummins and his men would have wanted.

But another issue for England is there keeper seems to have taken off to catch a game of footy during the rain delay.

What’s Bairstow doing up at the Gabba? pic.twitter.com/7dsDSfgOT6

— Jrod 🔴⚫️ (@Jrod_Dons) July 22, 2023

9.30pm - Piers Morgan lets everyone know his feelings about all this

British media identity Piers Morgan has weighed in on the dreadful weather that is preventing play getting underway on day four of the Ashes.

Australia will retain the Ashes if the English weather fails to allow play to continue, with rainy conditions forecast for the final two days at Old Trafford.

That’s because the Aussies hold a 2-1 series lead, with just one Test remaining, although England are in an extremely strong position in Manchester.

“It will be the greatest travesty in the history of Ashes cricket if the trampled, battered, beleaguered, Bazballed, desperate, white-flag-flying Aussies now avoid inevitable defeat and retain the urn because of bloody rain,” he wrote.

It will be the greatest travesty in the history of Ashes cricket if the trampled, battered, beleaguered, Bazballed, desperate, white-flag-flying Aussies now avoid inevitable defeat and retain the urn because of bloody rain… pic.twitter.com/poqH1xJjKC

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 22, 2023

8.45pm - Former England captain questions Ben Stokes’ captaincy

The rain keeps pouring down in Manchester, with no end in sight, so commentators are looking for something to say.

Talking on BBC Sport, ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan has wondered whether England batted for too long in their first innings.

The English were finally knocked over for 592 in their first dig, before they reduced Australia to 4-113 at stumps.

“This England side have played a Test match this week as good as we’ve seen an England team play against Australia in many, many generations,” he said in part.

“They’ve absolutely hammered them in all aspects of the game.

“But the question will be asked at the end of the game, and it’s always the proof in the pudding, Ben could have declared after lunch (on day three).”

You can see his extended thoughts on what Australia might need to do on day five below.

They've played the perfect match, but will the weather scupper England?#BBCCricket#Ashespic.twitter.com/BMqJcJrAQP

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 22, 2023

7.45pm - No chance of any cricket early on

Australian fans wanting to tune into the cricket on Saturday night will sadly need to get used to the sight of those covers being all over the Old Trafford pitch.

The weather is dreadful to start the day in Manchester and former Australian Test cricket captain Mark Taylor gave a solid summary of the situation.

“The forecast here is not good,” Taylor said on Channel 9.

“There’s a 90 per cent chance of rain or greater all day and it’s about the same at this stage for tomorrow.

“Terrible news for the spectators and commentators here at the ground. But great news for this Australian side.”