Cricket: England Retain the Ashes in Manchester Rain

Despite an Old Trafford performance from Australia which hinted at an Investec Ashes comeback, England’s cricket team have retained The Ashes after rain in Manchester meant there was barely any play on the fifth and final day.

The resulting draw meant England – who led 2-0 going into this the third Ashes 2013 test match – can not be topped and, as holders of the urn, are now certain to retain the trophy.

England had successfully retained The Ashes on Monday 5th August once the draw was announced.

Australia’s mettle, particularly the tough attitude shown by their captain Michael Clarke with the bat in both innings – which included a Man of the Match 187 in the first innings – was pleasing to see after their batting lineup had appeared to be somewhat brittle in the opening two tests. This, along with some so-so bowling from England, led to a match which, in truth, England were looking like they may not save before the rain came.

The series is not going to be the whitewash many had predicted and, following this impressive performance from Australia, it will be interesting to see what happens when battle resumes in the fourth test – in just two days time – at Durham’s Riverside home in Chester-le-Street.

The North East is likely to be a more lively pitch for the seamers, where England will likely excel, though it will be interesting to see which four bowlers the hosts take to the Riverside, with local man Graham Onions having just bagged a 7 wicket haul in a County match at the ground. Broad and Bresnan look like the men most likely to miss out, though the huge amount of cricket played by James Anderson this summer, the retention of the urn, and a lack of any first innings headway for the quick mean it is not impossible to imagine that it may be he who steps aside, should anyone need to make way for Onions.

Australia, for their part, appear to have selected their best XI at the third attempt, and will be hoping that the impressive Harris is able to play back-to-back tests – something which he has often failed to achieve throughout a career somewhat dogged by niggles.

The visitors will be targeting 2-2 now that regaining the urn is off the table, though with their first visit to a proper bowlers’ track, their rediscovered batting abilities must remain if they are to pick up a win at Chester-le-Street.

The Ashes 2013 – Third Test Scorecards

Australia won the toss and decided to bat

Australia 1st Innings 527 for 7 declared (146.0 overs)

England Bowlers

England 1st Innings – 368 all out (139.3 overs)

Australia Bowlers

Australia 2nd Innings 172 for 7 declared (36.0 overs)

England Bowlers

England 2nd Innings 37 for 3 (20.3 overs)

Australia Bowlers

Lineups

Umpires: M Erasmus, A L Hill, R S Madugalle, H D P K Dharmasena