Sawt Falasteen - Rain threatens to scupper England's bid to level Ashes

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Rain threatens to scupper England's bid to level Ashes / Photo: Oli SCARFF - AFP

Rain threatens to scupper England's bid to level Ashes

SPORTS 23.07.2023

England's hopes of forcing a series-levelling win in the fourth Ashes Test were again frustrated by rain as bad weather delayed the start of Sunday's final day at Old Trafford.

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Heavy overnight rain left the outfield sodden and a planned inspection by the umpires at the scheduled start time of 11:00 am (1000 GMT) was abandoned as fresh showers hit the Manchester ground.

Australia are 214-5 in their second innings, still 61 runs behind England's first-innings 592, after rain meant only 30 overs' play was possible on Saturday.

England managed to take just one wicket in that time when occasional off-spinner Joe Root had Marnus Labuschagne caught behind, but not before the Australia No 3 had held up the hosts' victory charge with 111.

Ben Stokes's home team need to win at Old Trafford to square the series at 2-2 and force a decider in next week's fifth and final Test at the Oval in London.

But a draw would be enough for Australia, as the holders, to be assured of retaining the Ashes.

N.Shalabi--SF-PST

Sawt Falasteen - Rain threatens to scupper England's bid to level Ashes

Rain threatens to scupper England's bid to level Ashes

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