Stokes prays weather relents to keep Ashes dream alive
England will be praying the rain stays well away from Old Trafford today as Ben Stokes’ men look to finish the job in the fourth Test and square a dramatic Ashes series.
Joe Root’s dismissal of centurion Marnus Labuschagne lifted English spirits on a damp and dreary day in Manchester where bad weather meant just 30 overs were bowled.
It means England need five more Australian wickets to level the series at 2-2 with the tourists finishing the day on 214-5, still 61 runs behind.
But with plenty of rain forecast again today, Australia know that another day of defiance will see them retain the Ashes ahead of the final Test at The Oval.
Part-time spinner Root, only bowling due to bad light forcing the fast bowlers to be withdrawn from the firing line at the umpires’ request, had Labuschagne caught behind by Jonny Bairstow for 111.
But Mitchell Marsh’s 31 and further rain ending the day prematurely with Australia still in with a fighting chance of saving the Test with rain again due.
Root is more used to batting England out of difficutl situations but England batting coach Marcus Trescothick believes the back-up twirler can be England’s surprise bowling hero today.
“Joe has that little bit of a golden arm,” he said. “He has the ability to come on for two or three overs now and then, or a little spell here and there, and get one or two wickets. He has a knack of doing so. You need someone like that. He finds a way of surprising a lot of people. Whether it’s an outswinger of a leg spinner. He makes it happen.
“Fingers crossed we can get a break in the weather and get some more hours in and move the game forward.
“The forecast says rain but if we get a full day’s play we will be very confident we can push through and get the result. We’re looking all the time at every weather app! Everyone has a different one on their phone or computers. They are all saying the same thing…rain!
“We weren’t expecting much play today so to get what we did was a bonus. The golf was not far away so when the brollies went down it gave us a bit more optimism we might get some play here.
“It’s a good pitch but there is the odd ball that’s slightly misbehaving. We will try and get the new ball as quickly as we can and see how that goes.”
Another looking to make a difference is paceman Mark Wood, who took his 100th Test wicket when removing Steve Smith in the first innings, but has refused to commit himself to playing a third Test in a row this week.
England will be desperate for the 33-year-old Durham speedster to race in and bowl fast again at The Oval starting on Thursday But Wood, whose worrying injury history means his playing time has to be carefully managed.
“I wouldn’t want to look that far ahead at the moment,” he admitted. “I was really proud of the way I managed to get through four games in Australia which was a big tick for me. I have quite an injury record but I’ve given everything I’ve got in these last two games and will continue to do so in this one.”
