Rain plays spoilsport in the fourth Test as Australia retain the Ashes
England who have grown into the series and had a pretty good record in Manchester won the toss and decided to bowl. They started the match on a high note, bowling out Australia for a modest total of 317 runs in just over a day's play.
In response, England put up a mammoth total of 592 runs in their first innings. Zak Crawley was the star of the show, scoring a magnificent 189. From Joe Root to captain Stokes and Bairstow, everyone contributed in putting up a characteristic Bazball show for the visitors.
As England took to the field for their second innings, they were buoyed by their commanding position in the match. The bowlers started off brilliantly, taking four early Australian wickets and putting the visitors on the back foot.
Marnus Labuschagne, however, stood tall amidst the ruins, scoring a gritty century to keep Australia in the game. His innings was marked by patience and resilience, as he weathered the English bowling attack and kept the scoreboard ticking.
The final day of the match was marred by incessant rain, which washed out any chances of a result. England, needing five wickets to win, were left frustrated as the weather played spoilsport. This is also the first draw under the tenure of Brendon Mccullum and it couldn’t come at a worse time for the hosts.