Cook feels ‘strange’ as England reign

Alastair Cook admitted the rain slightly dampened England’s celebrations after they retained the Ashes when play was abandoned at a soggy Old Trafford yesterday.

England, leading 2-0 going into this third Test, came under pressure yesterday morning, needing to bat out the day to avoid defeat against Australia.

But with the hosts on 37 for three, they got a helping hand from the Manchester weather.

“It’s obviously a great feeling if a slightly strange feeling today,” Cook said. “It’s been a bit of a strange day but for the lads to retain the Ashes after three games, we’ve played some pretty good cricket in the first two games.

“We fought hard today and had a little bit of luck with the weather. It’s certainly nice to retain the Ashes.”

Australia declared twice in this Test and did most of the running but ran out of time as the weather closed in, and England could be grateful to have come into the match in such a strong position.

Australia made 527 for seven in the first innings and then declared on 172 for seven in the morning, leaving England with a target of 332, which soon became irrelevant.

“I think it’s been a really good series,” Cook added. “At Lord’s we played really well. Trent Bridge was a nailbiting game and we were glad to get on the right side of that result.

“This game, it was an important toss to win but fair play to Australia, the way they played put us under a lot of pressure, getting 500 and plenty in that first innings, but we responded pretty well with the bat and fought hard.

“Obviously the weather hasn’t been ideal today but you can’t predict that. We set out to retain the Ashes and we’ve done that. Now we want to go and win the series.”

Australia captain Michael Clarke pinpointed his side’s first-innings capitulation at Lord’s as the most telling moment en route to conceding the Ashes after just 14 days of cricket.

“The way we batted in the first innings at Lord’s hurt me as much as anything has in my career, certainly as captain,” Clarke said.

Australia will now be tasked with trying to square a series that moves to the Emirates Durham ICG in Chester-le-Street on Friday.

Clarke believes the improvements made this week, especially amongst his batsmen, ensure Australia are capable of doing just that and earning a confidence boost ahead of the return series Down Under this winter.