Australia retain Ashes as rain washes away England's hopes of victory in fourth Test

Australia retained the Ashes on Sunday as England's hopes of winning the series were washed away in the Manchester rain.

The draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford means England can now only level the series at 2-2 if they win the final game at The Oval next week. As the holders, Australia only needed to draw the series to keep hold of the urn.

Ben Stokes's side had battled their way back to 2-1 in the contest after their three-wicket victory at Headingley.

And England were well on top at Old Trafford before the weather intervened to the frustration of the home side's players and fans alike.

Only 30 overs were bowled on the fourth day as England reduced Australia to 214-5 at tea in their second innings. The tourists were still trailing England's first-innings total of 592 by 61 runs, in spite of Marnus Labuschagne's 111 off 173 balls. It was his first Test century in England and second outside Australia.

The rain then brought an early halt to the day's action, with Mitchell Marsh (31) and Cameron Green (three) unbeaten for the visitors.

The home side would have still backed themselves to take the remaining wickets on the final day and knock off any runs required for victory.

But the weather put paid to any chances of a resumption in play – and with it killed off England's Ashes dream – as the match was called off by the umpires at around 5pm in the evening.

More to follow …