3rd Ashes Test England vs Australia Day 4: Rain frustrates Australia's victory bid

Rain frustrated Australia's bid to win the third Test against England at Old Trafford on Sunday and keep alive their slender hopes of regaining the Ashes.

At the premature close of the fourth day, Australia led England by 331 with three second innings wickets remaining.

The teams left the field after tea with Australia 172 for seven after the umpires decided the light was too bad to allow play to continue even though the floodlights were on.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, whose side trail 2-0 in the five-match series, argued in vain with umpire Marais Erasmus and there was scattered booing from the spectators.

However, steady rain soon followed, forcing the umpires to suspend play for the day with further bad weather forecast for Monday's final day.

Australia wrapped up England's first innings for 368 in the morning session to take a 159-run lead.

The Australians then reshuffled their batting order in order to put quick runs on the board, restoring David Warner to his usual spot at opener, and the left-hander responded with 41 from 57 balls including five boundaries.

Warner was playing his first Test of the series after he was suspended for punching England opener Joe Root in a Birmingham bar during the Champions Trophy earlier this year.

Clarke, who scored 187 in Australia's first innings, was again in fine touch, reaching 30 not out as Australia sought to counter England's slow over rate and defensive fields before the umpires and then the weather intervened.

BROAD FLOURISH

After England resumed their first innings in the morning session on 294 for seven, Stuart Broad ensured his team avoided the follow-on by taking three boundaries off a Ryan Harris over.

He fell shortly afterwards, caught behind for 32 off an outside edge to give off-spinner Nathan Lyon his only wicket.

Matt Prior was dropped at mid-wicket by Steven Smith on 18 off Lyon and Graeme Swann (11) struck a straight six off the same bowler before he gave wicketkeeper Brad Haddin his fifth catch of the innings with an inside edge from the bowling of Peter Siddle.

Prior (30) was the last wicket to fall, caught by Warner to present Siddle with his fourth wicket.

Australia, promoted Warner from number six to partner fellow left-hander Chris Rogers and the pair put on 23 before Rogers was caught behind for 12 by Prior tumbling to his left off Broad five minutes before lunch.

Warner survived a barrage of short-pitched balls from Broad and a confident appeal for a catch behind the wicket after an attempted hook at the England fast bowler before he was adroitly caught by Root at deep square-leg off Tim Bresnan.

Usman Khawaja (24) was bowled around his legs by Swann and Shane Watson (18), who was dropped down the order after opening in the first two Tests, fell attempting to force the pace. Watson was caught on the third-man boundary by Kevin Pietersen chasing a wide delivery from Bresnan.

Smith, who was dismissed 11 short of a century in the first innings, lofted both Bresnan and Swann for straight sixes but was then run out for 19 after a mixup with Clarke.

Tea was taken 10 minutes early because of a rain shower and after the interval Haddin was dismissed for eight and Mitchell Starc for 11 as Australia went for their shots.

Australia captain Michael Clarke was furious after the umpires took the players off the field for bad light in the third Test against England at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Australia, who at 2-0 down in the five-match series had 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 (1526GMT) on the fourth day.

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 36 minutes after tea.

Had England persisted with off-spinner Graeme Swann the chances are that play would have continued.

"We try and play as long as we can. We were able to stay out a heck of a lot longer under the lights -- but when we started losing it (tracking the ball) completely from square leg, we gave the skipper the option to use spin, and he didn't want to do that," said Hill.

It used to be the case the umpires would 'offer' the light to the batsmen to see if they wanted to continue or not.
But a change to the regulations in October 2010 left the issue solely in the hands of the umpires after concerns had been raised the old system was unfair to the fielding side.

Clarke, 30 not out when play was halted Sunday, had a prolonged conversation with South African official Erasmus as he and batting partner Ryan Harris stayed in the middle while England walked off.

Eventually, Clarke and Harris followed their opponents into the dressing-room.
England only need a draw in this match to retain the Ashes -- something made more likely by play being suspended.

Bad light stops play

Suggestions being made that Clarke can declare now and bowl two spinners to prevent England claiming the bad light.

Flood lights on, but no sign of play yet.

Old Trafford really gloomy. As will be the Aussie dressing room.

England sitting comfy with the situation, but Clarke's declaration plans now more or less out of his hands.

No guesses for who the most unpopular two men at Old Trafford are?

Crowd sitting in stunned silence, as must be Michael Clarke.

Ian Botham and David Lloyd can't believe it either.

Umpires call bad light and Clarke does not want to go. He wants to bowl at England tonight. Crowd not happy either.

No moves from Clarke yet. Harris in. Clarke 30 not out.

Starc out, caught Swann bowled Anderson

Starc goes, mis-hits one to Swann, Anderson gets his second wicket.

Starc puts on the after-burners, whacks one for four.

Some more hard running from the Aussies. Caught behind appeal for Clarke. And a review. And not out. No reviews for England left.

34 overs still to go today.

Clarke bangs into Anderson looking for a second run.

Huge gaps in the field and the Aussies picking out the singles with ease. England seem content to wait for the inevitable.

Australia's running has been excellent and has contributed to their decent scoring.

All bets seem to be on 350 as the total Clarke will set England. Though with Clarke and his agressive nature one never knows.

Clarke 22, Starc 3.

Haddin out

Anderson gets Haddin, caught Broad. Won't matter now... much. Australia need runs. Anderson gets his first wicket of the Test.

Clarke launches one with no timing, gets 2. Here comes the Aussie charge?!

Swann continues to bowl as England look to contain the scoring.

Australia lead 300

And here we go again. Clarke on 16, Haddin on 1 and 300 is the lead.

All eyes will be on the declaration now. And the rain.

Rain, Early Tea

Australia were 137 for five in their second innings, a lead of 296 runs, when rain forced an early tea on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Australia captain Michael Clarke was 14 not out and Brad Haddin nought not out.

Scoreboard at tea on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test between England and Australia at Old Trafford on Sunday:

Australia 1st Innings 527-7 dec (M Clarke 187, S Smith 89, C Rogers 84, M Starc 66 no, B Haddin 65 no; G Swann 5-159)

England 1st Innings (overnight: 294-7)

A. Cook c Haddin b Starc 62
J. Root c Haddin b Siddle 8
T. Bresnan c Haddin b Siddle 1
J. Trott c Clarke b Harris 5
K. Pietersen lbw b Starc 113
I. Bell b Harris 60
J. Bairstow c Watson b Starc 22
M. Prior c Warner b Siddle 30
S. Broad c Haddin b Lyon 32
G. Swann c Haddin b Siddle 11
J. Anderson not out 3

Extras (b3, lb17, nb1) 21
Total (all out, 139.3 overs, 601 mins) 368
Fall of wickets: 1-47 (Root), 2-49 (Bresnan), 3-64 (Trott), 4-110 (Cook), 5-225 (Bell), 6-277 (Bairstow), 7-280 (Pietersen), 8-338 (Broad), 9-353 (Swann), 10-368 (Prior)
Bowling: Harris 31-9-82-2; Starc 27-5-76-3 (1nb); Lyon 35-12-95-1; Watson 15-7-26-0; Siddle 29.3-7-63-4; Smith 2-0-6-0

Australia 2nd Innings

C. Rogers c Prior b Broad 12
D. Warner c Root b Bresnan 41
U. Khawaja b Swann 24
S. Watson c Pietersen b Bresnan 18
M. Clarke not out 14
S. Smith run out (sub/Prior/Anderson) 19
B. Haddin not out 0

Extras (b4, lb2, w3) 9
Total (5 wkts, 29.3 overs, 143 mins) 137
Fall of wickets: 1-23 (Rogers), 2-74 (Warner), 3-99 (Khawaja), 4-103 (Watson), 5-133 (Smith)
To bat: P Siddle, M Starc, N Lyon, R Harris
Bowling: Anderson 4.3-0-22-0 (1w); Broad 7-2-30-1; Swann 12-0-54-1; Bresnan 6-0-25-2 (2w);
 

Match position: Australia lead by 296 runs with five second innings wickets standing.
Toss: Australia
Umpires: Marais Erasmus (RSA), Tony Hill (NZL)
TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena (SRI)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SRI)

Smith run out, 19

Horror run out for Australia, just as they had some momentum. Smith goes for a second run and Clarke has nothing to do with it. Smith looked in fine form and stalks off the field in disgust.

High and wide from Anderson, and umpire rightly calls it wide.

Smith sends Swann to the stands with six over long off. Great shot!

Australia's first target of 300 is in sight now.

Clarke 10, Smith 18.

Anderson back in the attack to replace Bresnan

Again, Aussies running for their life, 2 more.

Swann continues, seems to try and bowl a bouncer and Clarke fails to send it for six.

Glorious six from Smith. Text book, straight down the ground.

Aussies continue to run hard, but with two new batsmen at the crease flow of runs not as assured.

Smith in. Australia need to be careful now. They do not want to be less than 300 when they put England into bat.

Watson, caught Pietersen bowled Bresnan

Bresnan digs it in short, Watson swings and.... missess. Then gets two off the next ball.

Australian captain Michael Clarke in.

Swann pitched up on one the leg stump that turned back around Usman Khawaja who looked to tickle it round the corner and missed. Well bowled. Khawaja gone for 24.

Swann bowls Khawaja round his legs

Swann to Watson, Watson sweeps again, again misses.

Will the Australia assault come before the rain?

Watson lifts one off Bresnan, but it's short of Roooooooooooooot!

Big turn from Swann, Watson sweeps and nearly nicks it.

Michael Holding suggest runs are welcome from Watson's back-side as well. Khawaja on 22, Watson on 8.

Khawaja jumps down the track to lift one, Swann gets huge turn and bounce, enough to beat the keeper and first slip as well. Aussies priming....

Watson new man in.

Warner caught Root, bowled Bresnan - 41.

And that is irony. Root catches Warner in the deep, as Warner tries to get on with the scoring. The Old Trafford crowd begin their Roooooooot chant to accompany Warner back to the pavillion.

Rain is forecast, so the Aussies will want to keep getting on.

50 partnership between Warner (41) and Khawaja (18)

Clarke and Watson both padded up. And talking to each other intently. Who says they don't get along?

Warner looks like he is set to launch the assault.

Massive LBW appeal against Warner. England decide not to review.

Khawaja gets a sense of that, dances down the track and lofts Swann straight down for four.

Australia going at 4 an over, but perhaps should be going at 6.

Physios off, Bresnan resumes, single for Warner.

Physio on for Jimmy Anderson as well who hurt himself fielding a Warner cut.

Physio on to check Warner who seems to have been hurt on his thumb by that bouncer.

Nasty bounce from nowhere from Bresnan, kicks up on Warner... Barmy Army delighted.

Cue the bowling change. In comes Bresnan.

Runs beginning to flow.

Khawaja on the off-side now, cuts, gets 3 runs with Warner - according to the commentators - one of the quickest runners in world cricket.

Khawaja gets into the act, whipping Swann up in the air on the on-side for four.

Backfoot punch and Warner gets 4. Whatever Root might say, Warner is best when punching... the ball that is.

Warner flicks it fine and then charges for 2 runs - great running between wickets.

Warner 30 not out faces broad.

55 overs left as Aussies begin to look for a a run a bowl.

Warner 24, Khawaja, 3. All commentary chatter about how much is enough for Australia to declare and how many overs they need to bowl England out.

Warner gets it through the field for four, England will not be happy.

Swann on to bowl. Khawaja gets a single.

Warner escapes DRS appeal

Replays show he 'probably' did not nick it. Snickometer suggest it nicked something.

Third umpire says not out. England waste a review.

Broad dug it in short, Warner hooked and missed, and England think he nicked it. Umpire said not out.

Huge appeal. DRS on for Warner caught behind.

Broad back in. Warner rocks back to crack one for four.

Swann bowls two widish deliveries which Warner latches on to only to find the fielder. Warner needs those to find the ropes for Australia. Remember a draw is no use to the Aussies and it is all England need to retain the Ashes.

Swann on. Key man. Short leg and slip, so run-saving field by England. Warner dances down the wicket gets 2.

Khawaja looks assured in defence. But Aussies need attack.

Australia have to get a move on with the threat of rain ever looming.

Khawaja on 2, Warner 13. StuBo steaming in.

Post lunch

Australia dismissed England for 368 on the fourth morning of the third test at Old Trafford on Sunday to take a first-innings lead of 159 in a match they must win to have any hope of regaining the Ashes.

At lunch, Australia were 24 for one in their second innings, an overall lead of 183, with five sessions remaining. England lead 2-0 in the five-match series.

After England had resumed on 294 for seven, Stuart Broad ensured the home side avoided the follow-on by taking three boundaries off a Ryan Harris over.
The last four, crashed through extra-over with a full swing of the bat, also brought up the 50 partnership with Matt Prior.

Broad fell shortly afterwards, caught behind for 32 off an outside edge to give off-spinner Nathan Lyon his only wicket of the innings.

Prior was dropped at mid-wicket by Steve Smith on 18 off Lyon and Graeme Swann (11) struck a straight six off the same bowler before he gave wicketkeeper Brad Haddin his fifth catch of the innings with an inside edge from the bowling of Peter Siddle.

Prior (30) was the last wicket to fall, caught by David Warner to present Siddle with his fourth wicket.
Australia, needing quick runs to give themselves time to bowl out England for a second time, promoted Warner from number six to opener to partner fellow left-hander Chris Rogers.

The pair put on 23 before Rogers was caught behind for 12 by Prior tumbling to his left off Broad five minutes before the break.        

Lunch, Day 4, Test 3, Australia lead by 183

Australia running between wickets like this is an ODI. And it probably is. Get 200 quickly and put in England.

Swann to Warner, men round the bat. Shouts of come on Root.

Usman Khawaja in, Graeme Swann to bowl

Amidst all the commentary bonhomie, Rogers tries to guide one down to third man only to get a nick and Prior takes the catch.

Jamie Carragher of Liverpool will be on with Neville for this season's football commentary. And that cricket equivalent would be?

Let us know?

Gary says the likes of Botham and Lamb were his cricket heroes. His brother Phil Neville, Man Utd and Everton, chose to play football instead of cricket.

Aussies running hard.

Anderson goes for 4 in the meantime.

G-Nev quickly puts the boot into Hussain's team Arsenal. Nasser reminds us of the score, as Neville tells him the Gunners have no hope of getting Luis Suarez.

So the former Manchester United great played a lot of cricket in Lancashire.

Gary Neville of Man Utd on... Nasser with him in commentary

Rogers 10, Warner 9.

Aussies run a hard two. Rogers, Warner look focused. Will probably keep their wickets till lunch and then... who knows?

Rogers gets a move on, pulls first long hop of the England bowling innings for four.

No free runs from England. 15 minutes to lunch. Geoff Boycott feels 330 is the Aussies should give England to chase.

Broad to Rogers now.

Anderson pitches two in short, but they are way too high on the bounce to trouble Warner.

Warner off the mark with a punch of his hips for 2. Yeah, a punch. Warner punches. Ask Joe Root.

Rogers drives broad straight and hard, only straight into the stumps at the other end. Certain boundary saved.

Ooh, inside edge saves a driving Rogers on the front foot.

Stuart Broad to Rogers, Warner to still face a delivery.

StuBo to share the new ball. Nice, no, StuBo?

Australia open their second innings score. Two runs to Rogers. And a single to end the first over.

Rogers facing Anderson.

Anderson to open. England set a defensive field. Just two slips, third-man and fine-leg in place.

England out on the field, umpires out. And here come the Aussie openers.

David Warner and Chris Rogers to open. Both left-handers.

England 368 v Australia 527-7 4th day, 3rd Test

Australia dismissed England for 368 in their first innings on the fourth morning of the third Ashes test at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Brief Scores: Australia 527 for seven declared (C Rogers 84, M Clarke 187, S Smith 89, B Haddin 65 not out, M Starc 66 not out; G Swann 5-159) vs England 368 all out (A Cook 62, K Pietersen 113, I Bell 60)

60 overs left today and 90 overs tomorrow if it does not rain. Yes, Test on a knife-edge.

Holding does the trick. Though its Siddle that gets the wicket. David Warner rushes off the field suggesting he might open as the Aussies have it all to do with the bat to get as much time as they can with the ball to bowl England out. Prior last wicket to go. Anderson last man standing.

Michael Holding on now. In the commentary that is.

Anderson survives 2 balls from Starc and England wag on.

Starc in the attack now

Andrew Strauss and David Gower debate how to bowl at a tail-ender with Strauss coming up with a gem: "Whichever way works is the way to bowl".

Meanwhile, Prior gets another run.

Anderson hits one hard enough to get 3 and the Aussies are frustrated. Prior on strike.

Prior bats out a maiden and the Aussies have a full over to bowl at Anderson.

Drinks, Day 4, Third Test

Anderson continues to survive without scoring.

A risky cut between second slip and gully gets Prior 4 runs. Siddle hands on head. Prior on to 28 after a pull for a single.

Siddle to Prior, inside edge saves the England wicket-keeper from an LBW.

The entire Aussie team came in around the bat for that one ball, which Anderson survives. Too short from Lyon.

Clarke brings field in to try and stifle Prior and put some pressure. Prior content to eat the balls away. Gets a single off the fifth ball for the 3rd over ina row. Anderson has to survive one ball.

Prior 22, Anderson 0, England trail by 172

This time Prior does take the single and the crowd is barely impressed. England only need a draw to retain the Ashes and Prior seems intent on eating up as much time as he can.

Prior refuses to take a run to keep strike as the Old Traffird crowd groans aloud.

Nasser Hussain says we should expect Prior to explode now with the last-man in. Prior does nothing for five balls of Lyon and then a single.

With the shadow of the weather hanging over Old Trafford every minute and ball matters now for the Aussies.

Shane Warne sets out the plan for them.

Bat for 50 overs, get 175-200. Total lead of 375-400 and as many overs as possible to bowl England out.

Prior on 20, Anderson on 0.

Welcome, Mr Anderson. Aussies tails up now. Warne, in the commentary box, does not approve of the walking

Siddle gets the breakthrough. Swann nicks one, Haddin takes a great catch and Swann walks.

What's with the England batsmen walking?!

Replays show he had nicked it.

Peter Siddle comes in with Prior on 20 and Swann on a cavalier 11 of 9 balls.

Siddle into the attack

Steve Smith drops a very tough chance, but England batsmen going after the bowling. Prior escapes.

Swann dances down the wicket to loft Lyon for six. Then goes down again off the next ball and drags it leg-side.

Meanwhile, Harris continues to get belted for four by Swann off a short ball. Aussies need to choke off the runs.

Broad got the faintest of edges to Brad Haddin behind the stumps and walked immediately.

Graeme Swann in. As is Shane Warne in the commentary box.

The Aussie bowlers - Harris and Lyon have sprayed it off the rough on either side of the wicket. And out of nothing, Lyon gets Broad.

Broad walks.

England avoid follow-on, now 190 behind

Change of angle from Harris only brings abother four. Aussies leaking runs at the moment.

Broad smashes another four, tall and handsome to bring up the 50 partnership with Prior.. Broad on 32, Prior on 16.

Harris steams in gets another outside egde that runs away for 4. Aussies not amused. Broad then smashes on away for another four.

There is spin and there is rough, but Broad is handling Lyon well, taking a big stride to reach the ball before it can get an 'rough' action. Lyon still looking for his first wicket. Clarke looks worried.

Broad edges one through slip and gully for four. Runs coming thick and fast for England. Geoff Boycott prefers to call that a "controlled outside edge."

Ryan Harris to continue.

Prior - 15; Broad - 18.

Broad takes a huge stride forward to drive Lyon for 4 off the first ball. Lyon gets one to spin and bounce wickedly. Plenty of rough to exploit. Broad then pads one that draws a fierce stare from Lyon. More spin more extras - leg byes.

Follow on target now in sight.

Prior pulls grand and handsome for the first boundary of the morning off Harris. Harris hits back with a bouncer and some inswing.

Follow on target is 328.

Harris at the other end. England 298 for 7.

Prior on 6, Broad on 9 and Nathan Lyon opens the bowling on day four.

Day four will open with Australia in the hunt.

If ever was a chance for this Australia side to exorcise the ghosts of the great Aussie teams of the past – this morning provides them the chance.
Michael Clarke & Co must prove they can go for the kill.

Australia's cricket writers on Sunday, meanwhile, hailed old nemesis Kevin Pietersen's fighting century in the third Test, saying the knock had tempered the tourist's hopes of a dramatic Ashes comeback.

Pietersen's first hundred of this Ashes series and his 23rd overall in Tests helped put England within sight of avoiding the follow-on at Manchester's Old Trafford on Saturday.
At the close of the third day, England were 294 for seven -- still 233 runs behind -- after Pietersen had made 113.

"Painful memories of 2005 resurfaced at Old Trafford today as Kevin Pietersen yet again interposed himself between Australia and a desperate Ashes revival," The Australian's Wayne Smith wrote.

Australia is down 2-0 in the series but the third Test began well for the tourists who declared at 527 and sent in England to bat.
"The wickets came, but in a slow drip feed. Never could the Australians get a run-on and the reason was Pietersen," wrote Smith.
Fairfax Media's Malcolm Knox said Pietersen chose his moments to excel for England well.

"It wasn't his best - his 186 last November in Mumbai stands as one of the greatest innings of modern times - but, as is his knack, his contribution was critical in determining the ultimate result of this contest. He does choose his moments well," Knox said.

The Australian's cricket columnist Gideon Haigh said of Pietersen: "Can anyone conceivably think other than that Pietersen is second only to James Anderson in Ashes irreplaceability? Not after today they can't.

"Yes, there is so much to irritate about him -- the prodigality, the histrionics, the warhorse prance, the fancy ink, but my word, no modern batsman can complicate opponents' lives so quickly, and no member of England's order causes Australians such confusion."

As we wait for play to begin, can Nathan Lyon come to the party and sweep up this tail?

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