Marnus Labuschagne was left with mixed emotions after scoring a century only to be dismissed by Joe Root as Australia battled to save the fourth Test and retain the Ashes on a wet fourth day at Old Trafford.
England, 2-1 down in the five-match series, have been in control of the Test since blasting 592 in reply to Australia’s 317.
Australia lost four second-innings wickets late on day three but heavy rain in Manchester disrupted England’s comeback before a period of dry weather allowed 30 overs of play on day four.
The tourists began to eat into the deficit through Labuschagne and Marsh, who put on 103 in 186 balls.
But Labuschagne edged Root to a juggling Jonny Bairstow shortly after reaching only his second overseas Test hundred, leaving Australia on 214-5 ahead of day five.
With more bad weather forecast for Sunday, England will be desperate to get the chance to force a win and level the series at 2-2 ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
While an Australia win is out of the equation, a draw at Old Trafford would be enough for the world Test champions to retain the urn.
‘It’s hard to judge where I feel with it,’ Labuschagne said at stumps. ‘Obviously it’s always very special getting a Test hundred. It doesn’t happen too often but I’m disappointed I couldn’t get us to tea.
‘I feel like my game is in a really good space now. Coming into this game I was confident about my technique and how I was batting.
‘I was able to be confident and go back to my strengths, forcing their hand to bowl a lot of balls at me and take time out of the game.
‘We were so close to having a tremendous day there. We only needed 60 more to be within England’s first innings total.
‘The wicket feels alright, the ball change seems to have more swing and that’ll be a challenge in the morning, if we get play tomorrow. For us, this is about saving this Test match and retaining the Ashes.’
More to follow…
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