Australia retain Ashes as fourth Test ends in draw after final day washout

DAMP SQUIB: England’s Jonny Bairstow returns to the dressing room, with no play possible on day five at Old Trafford. Pic: Mike Egerton/PA

England’s hopes of setting up a winner-takes-all Ashes decider were wiped out by the Manchester weather, with a fifth day washout in the fourth Test handing the urn to Australia.

The most pessimistic forecasts came to pass at Emirates Old Trafford as relentless rain meant the players never made it to the middle, salvaging a draw for the tourists and rendering their 2-1 series lead unassailable.