Rain and an excellent century from Marnus Labuschagne have handed Australia a lifeline within the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford.
After dominating three days in Manchester, England had been honing in on levelling the Ashes, coming into the fourth day with a 162-run lead on the primary innings, however had been left annoyed as predictions of heavy rain had been proved proper, killing all however one session of play.
The moist outfield betrayed their efforts to get the ball shifting whereas a decided pairing of Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh saved the hosts at bay, with Australia’s No.3 the one man to fall – after reaching triple figures – as Australia completed the day 5-214, 61 runs behind.
Australia would have been the far pleased of the 2 sides as they rolled right into a soaking-wet Old Trafford on day 4, with greater than half the day misplaced to inclement climate.
But England had a spring of their step because the umpires set the time for a restart within the center session because the rain abated.
Labuschagne and Marsh regarded unfazed as they returned to the crease, slowly chipping away on the rating.
They fended off two spells from Mark Wood and made it appear to be gentle work because the host’s benefit was whittled beneath 100.
Labuschagne switched gears as England had been pressured into utilizing spinners from each ends with the sunshine fading.
He rocketed by way of the 80s and 90s, taking Joe Root downtown and hitting Moeen Ali into deep pockets in addition to the stands.
He reached his eleventh Test ton with a well-judged single into the offside, an enormous smile betraying his aid.
But his aid was short-lived as a unfastened reduce shot towards Root had him strolling again for 111, regardless of the umpire by some means lacking the large deviation that was clear on evaluate.
The Test turned on its head as England got here to life, Cam Green fortunate to outlive till Tea.
But the host’s momentum was stopped in its tracks because the covers had been raced again onto the bottom through the break because the rains returned to name an early finish to the day.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
