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Ashes 2023: Australia retains Ashes after last day of Manchester Test abandoned due to rain

Australia has retained the Ashes and will take a 2-1 lead to The Oval after the last day of play in Manchester was abandoned. FULL REACTION.

Daniel Cherny and Tim Michell
19 min read
3:09AMJuly 24, 2023.
Updated 10:31AMJuly 24, 2023
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Marnus booed after DRS overturns umpire HOWLER

The Ashes have been kept from England’s grasp for a fourth successive series after Manchester’s wet weather ensured Australia survived for an urn-retaining draw.

Despite the occasional window of hope, no play was possible at Old Trafford on day five, allowing the Aussies to escape from a match in which they were undoubtedly unplayed and take a 2-1 lead into the fifth and final Test at The Oval, beginning on Thursday.

It was a clear reprieve for the Aussies, who finished 5-214 in their second innings, still 61 runs away from making England bat again.

Only one session was played across the final two days of the match, with dire pre-match forecasts coming to fruition.

In brief dry spells on day five England had started warming up, but no sooner had it been announced that play would resume at 1:00pm local time if there was no further rain did the heavens open again.

By mid-afternoon on Sunday it was clear that the match would peter out.

It means that by the time the next men’s series is held Down Under in 2025-26, the Aussies will have held the Ashes for eight years.

England was unlucky at Old Trafford, although opportunities ceded due to slow over rates did not help its cause.

Australian captain Pat Cummins gives a thumbs up during day five. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.
Australian captain Pat Cummins gives a thumbs up during day five. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Former captain Joe Root lamented his side’s predicament, querying on the BBC why extended daylight hours weren’t used to squeeze in more play.

“It doesn’t get dark here in England until 10pm in the summer, why can’t we just play until we bowl the overs?” Root asked on Sunday.

“There’s been a lot of chat about not bowling the overs. There are so many different ways of trying to find opportunities to get as much play in as possible. At every opportunity at every stage you should be looking to find ways to get the Test on. We batted in worse conditions at Edgbaston (in the first Test), but that is cricket. You just want consistency in those conditions.”

While Australia will be relieved to have dodged this bullet, a collective determination to win an away Ashes series outright for the first time since 2001 means the stakes will remain high for the tourists when they head to London.

Four years ago, Australia won the Manchester Test to establish a 2-1 advantage heading to The Oval, but was defeated on the back of brilliance from Jofra Archer after deciding to bowl first after winning the toss.

While England clearly had the better of the running across this Test, the efforts of Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh to bat for two overs on Saturday afternoon played an important role in helping Australia save the match.

England last won the Ashes in 2015, with Australia claiming 4-0 wins in its ensuing pair of home series as well as the 2-2 draw in 2019.

This result also marked the first drawn Test for England’s Bazball era, dating back more than a year since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over as coach and captain respectively.

AUSTRALIA HAS RETAINED THE ASHES

MANCHESTER TEST DRAWN

MORE REACTION:

Ben Stokes

“It’s a tough one to take. Playing the cricket that we managed to play over the first three days and to get on the wrong side of the weather, it’s just a tough one. This is all part of the journey.

“I think coming into this game obviously knowing what we needed to do, with the task that we had at hand, it played into our hands a little bit. It was, again, another do-or-die game for us. Winning the toss, bowling Australia out for 320 and then scoring 570 at nearly six runs an over, I don’t think we could have done too much (more).”

Zak Crawley (man of the match)

“It’s pretty flat up there (in the dressing room). Obviously we were in a really good position to win this game and unfortunately the weather has cost us a bit. We’re disappointed but we know we played a lot of good cricket and we go on to the next one and keep building as a side which we’re doing well at the moment.

“We played a lot of good cricket the first three days, (gave) ourselves a chance to win it on day three. Then maybe had a chance to win it yesterday and the rain cost us on both occasions.”

Pat Cummins

“Our preference is to come over here and win the Ashes, but it’s nice to retain it. Obviously not the best of circumstances, but it’s something the group should be pretty proud of.

“The result is the same (as 2019). It does feel really different. That was right down to the wire. When we turned up here this time, very much wanted to it. Pretty similar squad to that 2019. Whatever happened here today doesn’t really change the way we look at The Oval next week.”

Usman Khawaja

“England were the better team this game, they’ve outplayed us. But at the same time we’d earned the right in the first two Test matches, we won the first two Test matches and when you win the first two Test matches of any series, you are always a long way ahead. We did earn the right to be in this position now.

“Retaining the Ashes is awesome. Don’t get me wrong. But we did come here to win the Ashes and we haven’t done it for a very long time. We got in the same position last time when we were here, 2019....but we couldn’t win the Ashes the next Test match at The Oval. That’s going to be a big one for us. Still our goal at the end of the day.”

And that’s it for our blog of day five of the Manchester Test.

Thanks for following and be sure to check out our full coverage on Code Sports and all the News Corp websites.

DAY FIVE LIVE BLOG

2.24AM: AUSTRALIA HAS RETAINED THE ASHES

It’s official.

Day five of the fourth Test has been abandoned and Australia has retained the Ashes.

Australia will take a 2-1 lead to The Oval.

Nasser Hussain reacts on Sky Sports: “This is the worst possible way to end (England’s chances of regaining the Ashes). Two days of rain in July after everything we have seen in a terrific series. There has not been a dull session. “It’s disappointing for spectators, viewers and players. Australia won’t have wanted to retain the Ashes like this.”

AUSSIES EDGE CLOSER TO ‘BITTERSWEET’ ASHES RETENTION

Marnus Labuschagne says the thought of retaining the Ashes, rather than winning a series in England, is “bittersweet”.

A drawn series would match the result Tim Paine’s team achieved in 2019 when it lost the fifth Test at The Oval.

“I’ve got a bit of a bittersweet feeling with retaining the Ashes,” he said on Sky Sports earlier today.

“The last time we were here we did the same thing here at Manchester, we retained it.

“We haven’t come to retain it, we’ve come to win the Ashes. Retaining it would be nice today, but our focus will solely then be fixated on winning the game at The Oval.”

2.20AM: VAUGHAN — ENGLAND HAS BEEN BETTER TEAM

Former captain Michael Vaughan says England has been the better side in the Ashes despite trailing 2-1 heading to The Oval.

Speaking on BBC Test Match Special, Vaughan said: “It’s no way to retain the Ashes, let’s be honest. But Australia will take it. You know, they’re in a similar position, well exactly the same position as they were in 2019. This feels different. I mean, 2019, I thought Australia were the better team. across the whole of the series, I thought England hung on. The greatest innings of all time from Ben Stokes got them that victory at Headingley...

“I just felt Australia were a better team. This feels like, over the four matches, I know England are 2-1 down, but I just feel England have been a better team.

“They’ve played some really good stuff. They dominate in many parts of the Test matches. But they’ll go back to those first two Test matches and look at mistakes that they made.”

1.50AM: CALL EXPECTED IN NEXT HALF HOUR

Sorry to tell those of you staying up to watch some cricket but there still hasn’t been a call on whether day five will be abandoned.

However, Channel 9 is reporting a decision could be made in about 20 minutes.

The umpires were seen meeting with Pat Cummins and members of the Australian coaching staff.

In the meantime, you could read this piece from Code Sports’ Daniel Cherny on David Warner and the great debate about his spot at the top of the order.

“Each time Warner’s place was up in the air, there were always semi-compelling reasons not to drop him. He was getting starts, plus he’d made that mighty 200 at the MCG in late December against South Africa, an all-time great innings that helped give Warner the licence to map a retirement plan,” he writes.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

1.30AM: WHAT CHANGES WILL AUSSIES MAKE FOR THE OVAL?

There’s no denying Australia has been outplayed in Manchester and although it will escape with a draw — and the Ashes — changes will be needing for the fifth Test.

The biggest question is whether both Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh can play in the same team again.

Marsh appeared sore and didn’t take the field for part of day three, only bowling nine overs.

But without his 51 and 31 not out Australia would likely already have lost this Test.

Green was out for 16 in the first innings and hardly got a chance to get going in the second.

He took 2-64 in England’s innings.

While Green is the incumbent, Marsh is surely impossible to leave out in his current form.

Josh Hazlewood is unlikely to make way either and Mitch Starc has been Australia’s best performed paceman since coming into the side.

Which probably means if Australia wants to squeeze Todd Murphy back in, one of Green and Marsh needs to make way.

Travis Head bowled seven overs for 52 at Old Trafford, which would surely have rung alarm bells in the Aussie dressing room.

If Marsh continues to battle soreness he might make way, but a huge selection call looms for Australia.

They have got away with two all-rounders in Manchester, but two likely needs to become one for The Oval.

1.10AM: COOK — STILL PLENTY TO PLAY FOR AT THE OVAL

Don’t expect the contest to be any less fierce at The Oval if, as expected, Australia retains the Ashes with a draw in Manchester.

Writing for The Times, former England captain Alastair Cook said the fifth Test would still be a willing encounter regardless of whether Australia takes in a 2-1 lead.

“Even if Australia retain the Ashes as a result of the weather, it’s all to play for at The Oval,” Cook wrote.

“No side in possession of the urn simply wants to retain it – we certainly didn’t after winning at Melbourne in 2010-11. This is especially true of this Australia team who are desperate to record their country’s first series win in England since 2001.

“Many of them will be conscious that they failed to hold on for the victory four years ago after taking a 2-1 lead into the final Test.”

He also wrote on Mark Wood and Chris Woakes’ impact and analysed how Australia responded to England’s batting dominance at Old Trafford.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL COLUMN

12.45AM: GILLESPIE ANOINTS NEXT AUSSIE TEST CAPTAIN

Jason Gillespie has earmarked Travis Head as Australia’s next Test captain.

Writing for the Daily Mail, the former Australian quick said the No.5 batter would be a standout candidate when Pat Cummins hands over the top job.

But Gillespie also said “the pile on” Cummins has faced throughout the Manchester Test had been “a bit harsh”.

Gillespie said Cummins should remain captain but Head had the leadership qualities to one day lead Australia.

“He was made captain of South Australia at the age of 20, so he has had a wonderful apprenticeship, learning all the traits of leadership at first-class level. I have worked with him closely for many, many years, and I think he would be an inspired choice. If he was given that opportunity, I think he would do a wonderful job,” he wrote.

On Cummins, he wrote: “At some point in the future, it may well be that Pat decides he just wants to focus on his bowling. Over the next 12 months, Pat is captain in my eyes.”

Gillespie also backed Australia to win the Ashes with a victory in the fifth Test at The Oval.

Jason Gillespie has earmarked Travis Head as Australia’s next Test captain. Picture: Oli SCARFF / AFP.
Jason Gillespie has earmarked Travis Head as Australia’s next Test captain. Picture: Oli SCARFF / AFP.

12.25AM: ‘HOUR’ LEFT TO SAVE FOURTH TEST

Mark Taylor says the fourth Test could be over in the next hour unless weather improves.

Taylor, who is in Manchester as part of Channel 9’s coverage, provided an update about five minutes ago from a sodden Old Trafford.

The former Aussie captain said as it would likely take an hour to prepare the ground, time was running out for England.

“I reckon it’s got about an hour or an hour and a half to stop,” he said.

But he added: “They (England) are going to stay here as long as they possibly can.”

Taylor urged the Australians not to celebrate retaining the Ashes just yet.

“It’s far too early at this stage for Australia to start thinking about that,” he said on Channel 9.

12.15AM: YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO TO BED SOON

Daniel Cherny checks in from Manchester to tell us that the rain which has been around for several hours now is getting even heavier.

How long before they just call it a day?

England will no doubt want to give it every chance but realistically, the chances of play are about as good as me getting a call-up for the fifth Test.

And I averaged about 14 as a Second XI opener in local cricket.

12AM: STILL RAINING

As we tick into Monday in some parts of Australia I can report that it is still raining in Manchester.

It feels a bit like that episode of The Simpsons where Principal Skinner makes Bart go stargazing with him as punishment and he spends most of the time writing “no sighting”.

Only this time it doesn’t feel like Bart will discover a comet in the form of any play in Manchester.

Apologies if the analogy is lost on you, but I promise, it works.

11.40PM: SHOULD ENGLAND HAVE DECLARED SOONER?

Ultimately, it looks like rain will have the final say and it won’t matter too much that Ben Stokes chose to bat on during day three.

There were some eyebrows raised when James Anderson went out to bat with Jonny Bairstow, rather than England finishing its innings when Stuart Broad was dismissed.

Bairstow and Anderson shared a 66-run partnership, so Australia would hold a five-run lead if England had pulled the pin at 9-526.

Mark Taylor said on Channel 9 he thought Stokes made the right call.

“I reckon Ben has got it right because Australia are still 61 runs behind.

“Those two put on 66 in 49 deliveries...without that partnership (Australia) would be in front in the game now,” he said.

Some fans weren’t so sure though...

And the latest update from Old Trafford is — it’s still raining.

11.20PM: HOPES FADE OF PLAY ON DAY FIVE

Mark Taylor has provided an update on conditions from Old Trafford.

“The conditions here are probably as bad as we’ve had over the past 48 hours,” he says on Channel 9.

Not what England fans were hoping to here.

The heavy covers are on and the rain is also heavy.

11.10PM: SHOULD TEST CRICKET HAVE RESERVE DAYS?

As the likelihood of a draw in Manchester increases by the minute, some cricket fans are debating the merit of reserve days in Test matches.

As deflating as it will be for England if it has to settle for a draw today, and Australia retains the Ashes, they won’t feel any better when the sun comes up tomorrow.

The weather forecast for Manchester tomorrow is much better than the best two days with England’s MET Office forecasting “sunny changing to cloudy by late morning”.

“What could have been the greatest Test series ever (better than 2005) is set to be a hollow Australian #Ashes retention. And the weather forecast for tomorrow (potential reserve day) is good,” tweeted Simon Borchardt.

Chris Hill agreed: “Cricket needs to adapt and quickly. What could’ve gone down as one of the greatest series has been ruined by rain and cricket’s inability to show any flexibility. Start earlier, finish later, have a reserve day. Do something, anything.”

Jack Naish also tweeted: #TheAshes2023 are gone. Tomorrow is gone. Weather kills the comeback. It’s farcical in this day and age we don’t have a reserve day for this kind of thing.”

What do you think?

Oh, and Sky Sports has described the current scenes at Old Trafford as “grim”.

10.45PM: IT’S NOT JUST THE MEN BEING RAINED OFF

Australia’s women’s ODI in Dublin has been abandoned too due to rain!

The news out of the Aussie camp was that Victorian all-rounder Tess Flintoff had been called into the squad to replace the injured Heather Graham.

Flintoff is a serious talent who’s been one of the best performed bowlers rising through the ranks in the WBBL.

Hopefully she gets a crack soon.

At Old Trafford, the rain has become heavy enough that it has brought an end to the football match England was playing in lighter drizzle.

10.15PM: RAIN GETTING HEAVIER

The chances of play anytime soon are looking remote as the rain gets heavier at Old Trafford.

It would no doubt be deflating for the crowd hoping to see some cricket, but every minute lost inches Australia closer to retaining the Ashes.

9.40PM: MARNUS EXPLAINS AUSSIE MINDSET

You couldn’t blame Australia for prioritising survival if we get any play today.

After all, it might only need to bat for an hour or two maximum to retain the Ashes.

But Marnus Labuschagne says if Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green do get out there today, they won’t be playing just to chew up time.

“I think it’s about batting with confidence,” he told Sky Sports.

“Batting with intent and just getting that mixture right. It’s not being overly risky but it’s certainly taking the game on when you feel like there’s an opportunity.

“Because once that deficit goes and we hopefully get that lead into 100-120, it just takes a lot of time out of the game. We know that there is going to be some more rain at some stage. We know lights going to play a factor.

“So there’s all these factors. But I think if you just try and survive, that’s where that deficit doesn’t come down and you create a bit of trouble for yourself.”

For a reminder, Australia trails by 61 runs with five wickets in hand.

9.30PM: ‘BOOM’ — PIERS MORGAN TWEET COMES BACK TO HAUNT ENGLAND

Aussie cricket fans have unearthed a tweet from Piers Morgan which has aged terribly 10 years on.

After rain saved England in the third Ashes Test in 2013, helping it maintain a 2-0 series lead, Morgan tweeted: “BOOM! #Rain #Ashes”

In that match, England was 3-37 in its second innings, trailing by 294 runs, but only 20 overs were possible on the last day due to rain.

Aussie cricket fans have not missed Morgan, who said yesterday it would be a travesty if Australia retained the Ashes due to the weather.

“Oh look… an Englishman celebrating rain,” Nathan Jones tweeted.

Another fan said: Hey @piersmorgan- whats that you were saying about celebrating rain in the ashes?”

Today, Morgan tweeted: “Please God, just give us a couple of hours… don’t let the spirit-abusing Aussies sneak a Pyrrhic win.”

9.22PM: IT’S RAINING AGAIN

So...play won’t start at 10pm then.

9.20PM: PLAY TO START AT 10PM

The news England wanted to hear.

If there’s no rain in the next 40 minutes, play will start at 1pm Manchester time.

Now we wait...

9.10PM: BUMBLE LLOYD NOT GIVING UP HOPE

Few people know Old Trafford like English cricket legend David Lloyd.

So maybe his outlook for the remainder of the day will fill our English readers with some positivity.

“Fingers, toes, it’s everything crossed,” Lloyd told Mail Sport.

“I was here at 8.30 this morning and it was fine. Right now it’s drizzle, there’s rain in the air, the clouds are around. England need five wickets. They need to get on.

“You know I’m an eternal optimist and I know this place like the back of my hand. Over there can be shocking steel grey and not a blue sky in sight. I’m still optimistic that we’re going to get three or four hours today.”

8.50PM: THE COVERS ARE COMING OFF

Depending on whether you’re hoping rain saves Australia, we have good news.

The covers are coming off.

So it’s good news if you want to see some cricket today, but maybe not so good if you want the weather to ensure Australia retains the Ashes.

It certainly doesn’t mean we’ll get a start soon though.

“They’d need at least an hour before the rain ceasing and any play starting,” Mark Taylor explained earlier on Channel 9.

“Unfortunately, no good news from the ground at the moment.”

The next inspection will be at 12.15pm local time, so about 20 minutes from now.

Then we’ll have lunch, which hopefully will give the ground staff time to have things ready for a 1pm start.

But, a lot still needs to go right between now and then with the weather.

8.35PM: ENGLISH PESSIMISM GROWING

As rain continues as the forecast for Manchester looks awful, the mood in England is dampening.

8.25PM: SHOULD TEST CRICKET BE PLAYED UNTIL LATER?

England might be getting a little desperate.

Star batter Joe Root has told BBC Test Match Special: “It doesn’t get dark until 10pm here in the summer. Why can’t we play until the overs have been bowled?”

It’s an interesting thought for future Tests, but I don’t think it’s going to help England much today.

Root also said he thought instead of penalising teams for slow over rates, cricket should be considering more ways to maximise the amount of play.

What do you think?

8.10PM: ATHERTON — ‘IT WOULD BE CRUEL’ ON ENGLAND

Former England skipper Mike Atherton says it would be “cruel” if the weather gods conspire against England in the fourth Ashes Test.

“I think it would be cruel. You can look back at times in the series where England have missed opportunities without a doubt. All the missed chances that we talked about in that opening Test match, which England could easily have won at Edgbaston,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.

“But just looking at this game, England have absolutely hammered Australia here up until now. And it would be very cruel if two days of rain effectively, in the middle of July, doesn’t allow them the opportunity to win this game and go to The Oval all square.”

The start of play has officially been delayed and it’s still raining at Old Trafford.

7.40PM: ROOT — ‘HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET LUCKY’

Joe Root says it would be a “shame” if England isn’t given the opportunity to win the fourth Ashes Test due to weather.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the England star said his side remained hopeful there would be enough play on day five to achieve a result.

“We knew rain was a possibility later on in the game, it sort of mapped itself out for us what we needed to do,” he said.

“I think we executed that pretty well and go ourselves into a strong position.

“It would feel a little bit of a shame to not at least get the opportunity to get out there today for a good chance to take those wickets.

“If we get out there, we will throw everything at it.”

Root claimed the crucial wicket of Marnus Labuschagne on day four when Ben Stokes was forced to use spin bowlers due to bad light.

The bad news for England is light rain is falling again at Old Trafford, so that 8pm pitch inspection might not happen now.

7.30PM: MARNUS — ‘DON’T THINK WE’RE GOING TO GIVE ENGLAND A SNIFF’

One of the most interesting questions from last night’s press conference with Marnus Labuschagne was whether he saw a scenario where Australia would declare on the final day for a crack at England.

It’s fair to say that won’t be something they are entertaining.

“No. No chance. Zero,” was the Aussie No.3’s response.

He then added: What are we 60 behind? I mean if Mitch gets going, maybe. If Mitch and Greeny put on an absolutely unbelievable partnership.

“But once again I think we’re just going to let it play out, get bowled out when we do and then I don’t think we’re going to give England a sniff. I think that’s exactly what they’d like.”

7PM: WEATHER LATEST

Lancashire cricket is reporting that the clean-up process has started at Old Trafford after heavy rainfall overnight and this morning.

As of just after 9am local time, Manchester was dry and ground staff had started the process of mopping up the deluge.

If there’s no further rain, a pitch inspection will take place at 8pm.

BROAD’S HYPOCRITCAL WHINGE OVER ASHES DELUGE

Before the 2023 Ashes series had even begun Stuart Broad hit out saying Australia’s win in 2021 was “not valid” because of Covid.

Now he’s saying the current series will be “unjust” if England loses the fourth test because of rain.

Sounds like whinging Pom syndrome, no?

“We probably had the most perfect first three days we could have wished for at the start, put in a pretty incredible performance to get eight wickets on day one, then played outrageously to get so far ahead of the game on day two,” Broad wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.

“Now, we just need a bit of luck from the Manchester weather gods.

“Sitting in the changing room watching the rainfall on Saturday, there was a feeling it would be unjust if the weather had a decisive say because it’s been such an incredible few weeks to be a part of. It would be such a damp squib, such an unemotional way for a series between two great rivals to be defined.”

Heavy rain on day four meant only 30 overs were plays with Australia 214-5.

It means Englands chances of equalling the series to 2-2 hang in the balance and the lap of the weather gods.

Marnus Labuschagne says England players “weren’t happy” with his request to take a look at a replacement ball during his century at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Labuschagne’s 11th Test ton - his first in the UK - helped push the fourth Test into a fifth day.

Read related topics:Weather

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/ashes-2023-live-follow-the-day-five-action-between-australia-and-england/news-story/ece8d3280a214d59a3139db7f403312e