23 July 2023 , 16:25
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Australia retained the Ashes at Old Trafford, just as they did in 2019, as England were beaten by the weather and their own over-enthusiasm.
Persistent rain throughout the final day was enough to prevent any play and secure the draw that Australia had been looking for after naming their team with an extra batter and no spinner. They have been clinging on to their lead from the moment they were pegged back to 2-1 at Headingley, and thanks to the weather they have done just that.
But they will know that England were the coming team. They had made all the running across the 3rd and 4th Tests and were primed for a smash and grab at the Oval. And what an occasion that would have been for a setup who have seen their ‘Bazball’ method come good, just not quite good enough.
It means the two Test wins Australia secured at Edgbaston and Lord’s will be enough to deny England for another couple of years, and hold on to the urn they have held since 2018. It was a desperately frustrating and tame end to the main contest for the Ashes after it had promised and delivered so much across the first three games and three and a bit days of cricket here.
Maybe it is too soon to be making jokes about bears in woods, Catholic Popes and the rain in Manchester, but northern mayors Andy Burnham and Tracy Brabin will be glad their joint letter asking for more Ashes cricket up here didn’t land today, while the Ageas Bowl, Lord’s and the Oval have been bathed in sunshine.
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But England will need to take issue with more than just the rain clouds whenever they have their debrief over this series, if they ever actually do have one. After all, the method for these players and this regime is not to dwell on what has gone by and to focus on the here and now instead.
There can be no doubt that the theory behind this side is an excellent one. The way that England have played their cricket this summer has been a joy, just as it was last year. But it took them until the third Test to get their execution where it needed to be at the start.
England were forced to concede defeat to Australia - and the Manchester rainHeadingley and Old Trafford has seen Bazball at its best, with a much more calculated approach to their cricket that has dominated an Aussie team now running on fumes. The unfortunate thing is they played the first Test at Edgbaston as if they were hyperactive teenagers knocking back the Sunny Delight in the drinks breaks.
There were basic errors in the field, either dropped catches, missed stumpings or crucially a wicket taken from a no-ball that all pointed to a team not quite sharp enough.
They have got sharper as the series has gone on and they have adapted brilliantly with the introduction of Mark Wood and Chris Woakes to the side and the movement of Moeen Ali up to No.3.
But ultimately England have lost the chance to do anything more than draw the series by virtue of the quality of the opposition and their slow start.
As annoyed and disappointed as England will be, Australia have plainly done enough to be in this position across four matches. The hurt will need to be put to good use in 2025/26.