3rd Test England vs Australia Day 5: England retain Ashes after rain frustrates Australia

England have retained the Ashes after just three matches for only the second time in history, the previous occasion being 1928-29.

England retained the Ashes on Monday after rain forced a draw on the final day of the third test against Australia at Old Trafford.

The holders keep the urn in the event of a drawn series and England lead Australia 2-0 with two matches left to play.

Joe Root was unbeaten on 13 from 57 balls as the young opener tried to leave every wide delivery he could. Ian Bell was four not out having been struck on the glove and seen the ball balloon over the slips just before a second rain break.

Bustling fast bowler Ryan Harris struck twice for Australia before lunch to give the tourists real hope they could drag themselves back into the series after a 14-run loss at Trent Bridge and a 347-run humbling at Lord's.

Rain was in the air from the start and play began half an hour late, leading Australia to declare on 172 for seven in their second innings and set England 332 to win.

The hosts got off to a terrible start when captain Alastair Cook was trapped lbw by Harris for a duck, compounding his misery by wasting a review even though he was proved to be plumb in front.

Jonathan Trott (11) survived a scare when Australia reviewed a not-out call for another Harris lbw shout, technology showing it was the umpire's call, but the tourists did not have to wait long before he edged the same bowler down the leg-side to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

More decision review system (DRS) controversy followed when first-innings centurion Kevin Pietersen was adjudged to have nicked Peter Siddle behind for eight.

Pietersen called for a review and despite no hotspot showing on the video replay, the third umpire upheld the decision. Television's snicko technology, not used by the officials, suggested the batsman was out.

It was almost a lot worse for England but Australia captain Michael Clarke dropped a fairly routine edge off Root in the slips as the swinging ball moved around.

Showers during lunch meant the players came out 20 minutes late and heavier rain fell after three balls of the resumption, sending the teams off again with dark clouds hanging over traditionally wet Manchester.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Old Trafford's famously fickle weather looks likely to help England retain the Ashes after steady rain fell between lunch and tea with the hosts 37 for three on the final day of the third Test on Monday.

The holders keep the urn in the event of a drawn series and England, who have won the last two Ashes campaigns, lead Australia 2-0 with two more matches to play.

Joe Root was unbeaten on 13 from 57 balls as the young opener tried to leave every wide delivery he could. Ian Bell was four not out having been struck on the glove and seen the ball balloon over the slips just before a second rain break.

Bustling fast bowler Ryan Harris struck twice for Australia before lunch to give the tourists real hope they could drag themselves back into the series after a 14-run loss at Trent Bridge and a 347-run humbling at Lord's.

Rain was in the air from the start and play began half an hour late, leading Australia to declare on 172 for seven in their second innings and set England 332 to win.

The hosts got off to a terrible start when captain Alastair Cook was trapped lbw by Harris for a duck, compounding his misery by wasting a review even though he was proved to be plumb in front.

Jonathan Trott (11) survived a scare when Australia reviewed a not-out call for another Harris lbw shout, technology showing it was the umpire's call, but the tourists did not have to wait long before he edged the same bowler down the leg-side to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

More decision review system (DRS) controversy followed when first-innings centurion Kevin Pietersen was adjudged to have nicked Peter Siddle behind for eight.

Pietersen called for a review and despite no hotspot showing on the video replay, the third umpire upheld the decision. Television's snicko technology, not used by the officials, suggested the batsman was out.

It was almost a lot worse for England but Australia captain Michael Clarke dropped a fairly routine edge off Root in the slips as the swinging ball moved around.

Showers during lunch meant the players came out 20 minutes late and heavier rain fell after three balls of the resumption, sending the teams off again with dark clouds hanging over traditionally wet Manchester.

The umpires' decision to go off for bad light frustrated Australia in Sunday's evening session and they are unlikely to give up the game and the urn on Monday until the very last moment which could be around 1730 GMT.

With prospects of play resuming looking gloomy, tea has been taken early with only three balls being bowled during the afternoon session with England 37-3.

Rain has stopped play after just three balls frustrating Australia's efforts at salvaging the series.

Bell gets a couple as play resumes after lunch following a delay of 30 minutes because of rain.

The covers are back on because of rain delaying the resumption of play after lunch.

MORNING SESSION

England crashed to 35 for three at lunch on the final day of the third Test on Monday in their pursuit of a draw to retain the Ashes, although more rain is forecast to help the home team.

Bustling fast bowler Ryan Harris struck twice for Australia, who are 2-0 down in the five-match series and declared before play on 172 for seven in their second innings to set England 332 to win at Old Trafford.

The hosts got off to a terrible start with captain Alastair Cook out lbw for a duck to Harris, compounding his misery by wasting a review even though he was proved to be plumb in front.

Jonathan Trott (11) survived a scare when Australia reviewed a not-out call for another Harris lbw shout, technology showing it was the umpire's call, but the tourists did not have to wait long before he edged the same bowler down the leg-side to keeper Brad Haddin.

More decision review system (DRS) controversy followed when first-innings centurion Kevin Pietersen was adjudged to have nicked Peter Siddle behind for eight.

Pietersen reviewed and despite no hotspot showing on the video replay, the third umpire upheld the decision. Television's snicko technology, not used by the officials, suggested the batsman was out.

It was almost a lot worse for England but Australia captain Michael Clarke dropped a fairly routine edge off Joe Root in the slips as the swinging ball moved around on a pitch which should also take turn on the last day.

Root was unbeaten on 13 from 57 balls as the young opener tried to leave every wide ball he could. Ian Bell was two not out at lunch.

Play began half an hour late because of a wet outfield after rain and the umpires' decision to go off for bad light frustrated Australia and Clarke in the evening session on Sunday.

Early rain cleared on Monday and spots of sunshine appeared but heavy clouds still hung around the ground with weather forecasts predicting further showers later.

A draw would mean the urn stays with holders England who are bidding for a third straight Ashes series triumph.

Australia kept alive their hopes of salvaging the Ashes reducing England to 35-3 at lunch after a delayed started to the fifth morning because of rain.

England's first innings centurion Pietersen was controversially dismissed caught behind just moments after Clarke may have dropped the Ashes by failing to hold onto a regulation catch off Root who was still there on 13 having faced 57 balls.

Cook was trapped leg before for a duck in the third over of the morning after play began after a delay of 30 minutes because of a wet outfield caused by overnight rain.

Trott struggled to score 11 off 27 balls before being caught behind off Harris who has figures of two for 12 so far.

Root breaks the shackles by swinging Lyon to the long leg fence. Eng 31-3 in 18 overs.

Despite controversy over DRS, as former England captain Nasser Hussain said he was given out by the onfield umpire which would have stayed anyway in the days before technology was introduced.

England have lost both their reviews and Australia are now bowling with their tails up after seeing the back of Pietersen.

Pietersen is adjudged caught behind off Siddle failing to overturn the decision despite it being reviewed and the evidence being inconclusive. Eng 27-3.

Kevin Pietersen c Haddin b Siddle 8 (16b 1x4 0x6)

Clarke puts down a regulation slip catch as Root (4) edges Siddle as England get a reprieve. Eng 22-2 in 15 overs.

Lyon into the attack for the first time while Siddle also comes.

Pietersen opens with a boundary off Harris hooking a short delivery through midwicket. Eng 19-2 in 13 overs.

Trott does not last long glancing a leg side delivery from Harris as Haddin takes a superb catch. Eng 15-2.

Jonathan Trott c Haddin b Harris 11 (27b 1x4 0x6)

Australia are unsuccessful with a decision review as Trott survive confident leg before appeal off Harris.

Watson into the attack now replacing Starc and begins with a maident to Root.

Root is off the mark after 26 balls whipping Harris off this pads for three runs. Eng 13-1 in 9 overs.

Harris and Starc have bowled consecutive maiden overs as England seem content to battle for a draw.

Trott hits the first boundary of the fifth morning flicking Starc to square leg.

Harris strikes in his second over trapping Cook for a duck with England being unsuccesssful with the decision review. Eng 0-1.

Alastair Cook lbw b Harris 0 (9b 0x4 0x6)

Starc also begins with a maiden over to Root.

Game on, Harris opens the attack against Cook and begins with a maiden.

The covers have come off the pitch

The highest successful chase at Old Trafford is 294 by England against New Zealand in 2008.

Provided there is no further rain play is expected to start after a delay of 30 minutes leaving England to get 332 in a probable 98 overs.

A draw would ensure they retain the Ashes leading 2-0 with Australia needing a win to stay in contention.

Australia have declared at their overnight total of 172 for seven leaving England a target of 332.

The umpires have made an inspection and talked to the two captains.

The covers are on in the pitch while water is being cleared in the outfield.

The forecast is not good for Australia who need a win to stay alive in the series.

It's been raining overnight and is continuing to do so.

Australia skipper Michael Clarke and batsman David Warner took out their frustrations on the umpires as well as England's over-rate on Sunday as their Ashes dreams were left on a knife-edge.

Clarke was furious that the officials took the players off the field for bad light on the fourth day of the third Test at Old Trafford.

Australia, 2-0 down in the five-match series and needing to win this match to stand any chance of regaining the Ashes, were 172 for seven in their second innings - a lead of 331 runs - when umpires Marais Erasmus and Tony Hill called a halt at 4.26pm (1526 GMT).

Subsequent rain prevented the match resuming and play was officially abandoned for the day at 5.38pm.

Clarke, 30 not out, was angry at being told to go off for bad light in a situation where any stoppage increased England's chances of securing the draw that would see them retain the Ashes.

Although the floodlights were on, the umpires decided conditions were too dangerous to continue when it looked as if fast-medium bowler Stuart Broad was about to be brought back into the attack.

"It's now our decision," said Erasmus, whose joint interview with Hill on Sky television was booed by angry fans when replayed over the giant screens at Old Trafford.

"For a while there England's fielders were asking about the light and the possibility when they bat.

"It was fine by then but it kept dropping, dropping, dropping.

"Eventually we asked the captain ( Alastair Cook) to bowl spin which eventually he decided not to. That pushed our hand because it's a safety issue."

Clarke had a prolonged conversation with Erasmus as he and batting partner Ryan Harris stayed in the middle while England walked off.

Eventually, the Australians trudged off the field.

"The umpires have control over that now. They deemed it dangerous and we just had to come off and respect their decision," said Warner, earlier out for 41.

"Obviously Michael was a little bit annoyed with that but he felt it (the light) didn't change in that last half an hour. The umpires seemed to say it did."

Warner suggested that Cook was risking a ban for time-wasting by the International Cricket Council.

"We knew the bowlers were going to take their time. The decisions they reviewed off me were a massive time-waster," he said.

"The captain suffers from that. He'll miss a game if he's time-wasting or if the overs aren't bowled in the time allocated. That will come back to bite them (England) on the bum."

England will have to rewrite the record books if they are to force an unlikely victory as the most any side have made to win in the fourth innings of an Old Trafford Test is their own 294 for four against New Zealand in 2008.

More realistically, they will have to likely bat for all Monday's play, weather permitting, to force a draw.

"We know where we're at in this game, we need to come back and fight hard for the draw," said England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who earlier Sunday helped the hosts avoid the follow-on in partnership with Broad.

"Coming off I suppose was good for us, the umpires make the decisions we just do what we're told. As long as the (Ashes) urn is sitting up in the (England) dressing room I don't care how it gets there."

England avoided the follow-on after resuming on 294 for seven following Kevin Pietersen's impressive 113 on Saturday.

They needed 34 runs to make Australia bat again and the eighth wicket duo of Prior (30) and Broad (32) knocked them off during an eighth-wicket stand of 58.

The pair then combined to remove Australia opener Chris Rogers when fast-medium bowler Broad took the outside edge and Prior, diving in front of first slip, held a good catch.

Renowned one-day batsman Warner, repeatedly booed by home fans after missing the first two Tests of this series for his bar-room attack on England's Joe Root, was promoted to open alongside Rogers as Australia sought quick runs.

Warner made 41 off 57 balls before he was caught in the deep by Root off seamer Tim Bresnan before Usman Khawaja (24) was bowled round his legs by off-spinner Graeme Swann.

Regular opener Shane Watson then uppercut Bresnan straight to Pietersen at third man before a mix-up saw Steven Smith run out for 19 after he'd driven both Bresnan and Swann for six.
 

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