Ben Stokes and Pat Cummins react as rain saves Australia in the Ashes

Ben Stokes admitted it was ‘tough to take’ after rain denied England a chance to level the Ashes series and force a final Test decider.

Australia retained the Ashes after the fourth Test at Old Trafford was abandoned as a draw.

England had dominated in Manchester, making 592 in reply to Australia’s 317 and then reducing the tourists to 214-5.

Stokes’ side were favourites to secure a victory that would have made the fifth Test at The Oval an Ashes decider but just 30 overs were bowled on days four and five as rain came to Australia’s rescue.

Boasting an unassailable 2-1 lead, Australia have retained the Ashes regardless of the outcome of the final Test, though they still have aspirations to become the first touring side to win an Ashes series in England since 2001.

‘It’s a tough one to take,’ Stokes said. ‘Playing the cricket we managed to play over the first three days and get on the wrong side of the weather it is tough to take but it is all part of the journey.

‘We knew what we needed to do and that played into our hands. It was another do-or-die game for us and I don’t think we could have done much more – bowling them out and then scoring 590.

‘We have got one game left and we want to go out with a win and draw the series, like in 2019.’

Australia won a thrilling Ashes opener by two wickets before taking a 2-0 lead in the series at Lord’s despite Ben Stokes’ stunning 155.

Only once in history has a team come from 2-0 down to win the Ashes but Stokes’ side won at Headingley to keep the series alive before dominating for three days at Old Trafford.

An England victory appeared inevitable but Australia were able to secure a draw as only 30 overs were bowled on day four and the final day was washed out without a ball being bowled.

‘It’s not the best circumstances but the group should be proud of themselves,’ Australia captain Pat Cummins said.

‘Our preference is to come over here and win the Ashes but it is nice to retain. Whatever happened here today it doesn’t really change how we look at The Oval next week.

‘We’ve turned up motivated and it will be a very special moment at The Oval and even more special if we get a win.

‘It was tough for us this week. They batted really well and we tried a few different things and it didn’t come off.’

Zak Crawley, who received the Player of the Match award after smashing 189 from 182 balls in England’s exhilarating 592, admitting the home dressing room was ‘pretty flat’ after the draw.

‘It is pretty flat, we were in a good position to win but the weather has cost us,’ the Kent opener said. ‘We’re disappointed but we know we’re playing good cricket and we’re building as a side.

‘We’ve played a lot of good cricket in the fist three days an gave ourselves a chance of winning on day three and yesterday so it is disappointing.

‘Every game is massively important for us. We’re going well as a side and it would be nice to get it back to 2-2.’

MORE : Australia retain the Ashes as Manchester rain scuppers England comeback

MORE : Joe Root proposes 10pm finish time as rain threatens to decide the Ashes

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