Aug 5 2013: England have retained the Ashes for a third consecutive series, after rain ruined Australia's chances of a memorable third Test win at Old Trafford.
Australia can still draw the series, but they've now surrendered the Urn on three successive occasions for the first time since the 1950s when England won three on the trot.
Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle got Australia off to a flying start when the rain cleared early on day five to leave England well and truly reeling at 3-27, with star batsmen Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen back in the pavilion.
But the clear Manchester skies were just a tease, and only three balls were managed after the lunch break and England were spared a day of survival that was looking incredibly ominous.
They were 3-37 at the close, set 332 to win by Australia, and after more than three and a half hours off the field, umpires decided to abandon the day's play.
The best Australia can hope for is to win the final two Tests and secure the first drawn Ashes series since 1972 in England.
Australia can still draw the series, but they've now surrendered the Urn on three successive occasions for the first time since the 1950s when England won three on the trot.
Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle got Australia off to a flying start when the rain cleared early on day five to leave England well and truly reeling at 3-27, with star batsmen Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen back in the pavilion.
But the clear Manchester skies were just a tease, and only three balls were managed after the lunch break and England were spared a day of survival that was looking incredibly ominous.
They were 3-37 at the close, set 332 to win by Australia, and after more than three and a half hours off the field, umpires decided to abandon the day's play.
The best Australia can hope for is to win the final two Tests and secure the first drawn Ashes series since 1972 in England.
