Australia have retained the men’s Ashes after the Old Trafford Test ended in a draw, persistent rain washing out the majority of day four and the entirety of day five to end England’s hopes of an epic comeback.
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Beaten in the first two Tests, each by narrow margins, England won a thriller of their own at Headingley, completing a tight Test by three wickets. Only one team in history has come back from 2-0 down to win a Test series 3-2, but England looked on course for setting up a decider at the Kia Oval when they claimed a lead nearing 300 at Old Trafford and then four wickets by the end of day three.
However, the wet weather, which had been forecast from a distance out at Old Trafford, then set in. Thirty overs were possible on day four, in which England claimed one wicket, and there was no action on the final day.
There is still plenty riding on the final Test, with Australia aiming for a first series win in England since 2001, and the hosts aiming to maintain their unbeaten series record under Brendon McCullum. This was their first drawn Test under their new coach.
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England last held the urn going into the 2017/18 Ashes, which Australia won 4-0. The 2019 series was drawn 2-2 – now England’s best possible result this time round – with Australia also winning the 2021/22 Ashes 4-0. England are 5/4 favourites to win the final Test at the Kia Oval, and thus draw the Ashes, with Betway.
