England retain Ashes as rain ends third test
With England 2-0 up in the Ashes, Australia needed to beat the home side at Old Trafford to maintain an interest in the series – and they were well positioned to do so until the rain ended play.
England have retained the Ashes trophy they secured in Australia in 2010 after drawing with Australia in the third test match at Old Trafford.
Australia can now only level the series, but tradition dictates that the holders of the Ashes retain it in the event of a series ending on equal terms.
It is a cruel twist for the visiting side, who dominated the latest contest and were in with a clear chance of victory when rain stopped play at 1.40 this afternoon.
Rain delay
The day began with an Australia declaration, leaving England needing 332 runs to win the match. The Aussies had built on their 527 first innings total, with captain Michael Clarke declaring the second innings on 172 for seven.
After a rain delay, the fifth day began in the worst possible way for the home side, captain Alastair Cook out lbw to Harris for a duck.
England had put 15 runs on the scoreboard when Jonathan Trott, who has failed to impose himself in the series so far, was caught behind, again off Harris, for 11.
Twelve runs later and Kevin Pietersen, England’s first innings hero with 113 runs, was caught by wicketkeeper Haddin off Siddle’s bowling.
Dominant Aussies
At this stage Australia were dominant, and England looked unlikely to secure the remaining 305 runs needed for victory.
But the weather then started to close in. After just three balls of the afternoon session, the rain forced the players off for good.
For Australia the draw, which ends a run of six test defeats, means their earliest concession of the Ashes in a series since 1929.
Read more: Ashes - England's new ruthlessness