Centurion Labuschagne falls as rain frustrates England's Ashes push

Only 30 overs had been bowled during the fourth day at Old Trafford when the wet weather swept back in during the revised tea break.

Play was officially abandoned for the day at 17:27 GMT.

Australia are 214-5 in their second innings, still 61 runs behind England, who scored 592 in their first innings.

Labuschagne was the only Australia batsman to lose his wicket on Saturday, but not before he had kept England at bay with an innings of 111 - his highest score in an overseas Test.

England, currently 2-1 down in the five-match series, must win at Old Trafford if they are to maintain their hopes of regaining the Ashes.

"Obviously it's always very special getting a Test hundred," Labuschagne told the BBC.

"It doesn't happen too often but I'm disappointed I couldn't get us to tea."

'Good space'

The 29-year-old had been struggling for runs prior to this match but Saturday's hundred, his 11th in 42 Tests, followed his 51 in Australia's first innings 317.

"I feel like my game is in a really good space now," added Labuschagne.

"Coming into this game I was confident about my technique and how I was batting. I was able to be confident and go back to my strengths, forcing their hand to bowl a lot of balls at me and take time out of the game."

Worryingly for England, the weather forecast for Sunday's final day in Manchester is for more rain.

Pat Cummins' tourists thwarted England's bowlers, with Labuschagne and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (31 not out) putting on 103 for the fifth wicket.

But occasional off-spinner Root, who came on after the umpires appeared to warn England captain Ben Stokes that it was too dark for him to use his fast bowlers, made the breakthrough.

That decision was made even though the floodlights were on full beam to counter