Australia’s hope for rain in Manchester has been realised with the beginning of the fourth day day of the fourth Test delayed due to dangerous climate.
With Australia getting ready to a defeat that would depart the collection degree at 2-2, it began raining on Friday evening in Manchester and isn’t forecast to cease till Sunday afternoon.
Further rain can also be anticipated for Sunday night, providing Australia some hope of holding on for a draw after slumping to 4-113 and nonetheless needing 162 extra runs to make England bat once more.
A draw would guarantee Australia retain the Ashes as present holders, taking a 2-1 lead into the collection finale at The Oval on Thursday.
That, nonetheless, can be an extremely hole consequence for the vacationers given they’ve been outplayed at Old Trafford.
Seamer Josh Hazlewood admitted on Friday evening he was hopeful that rain may assist Australia’s plight.
“I’d be very pleased (if it rained),” Hazlewood mentioned.
“It’s obviously forecast and forecasts can change all the time. Obviously rain and light plays a big part in cricket and has done forever.
“So yeah, it would be nice to lose just a few overs right here and there and make our job a bit of simpler of hanging in there. That’s fairly apparent.”
If the rain does continue, England may live to regret batting so long into day three after beginning the morning with a lead of 67.
Buoyed by Jonny Bairstow’s big hitting with an unbeaten 81-ball 99, England opted to bat out their innings and extend their lead to 275.
It limited the hosts to 41 overs of bowling at Australia on Friday afternoon, with slow over-rates throughout the match again not helping their cause.
England will imagine they might want as little as one session to bowl Australia out and win the match, however the largest query will likely be whether or not the Manchester climate permits that.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
