Wet weather has the last say on day five at Old Trafford as offcials call off play.
England has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the current Ashes series, after the third Test match was abandoned at 5.40pm local time at Old Trafford.
Play was only possible for three balls in the afternoon session before the predicted heavy rain set in at the ground, forcing players from the field.
The fact that any overs were able to be bowled was incredible given the overnight downpour at the ground, but after only half an hour delay, Australia began the tough task of taking 10 wickets to stay in the series.
Australia’s pace attack continued its excellent form for the match as Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle got rid of Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen in quick succession.
Ian Bell and Joe Root were at the crease when they came out for the afternoon session, but they and the Australian side were forced to retreat when heavy rain intervened, with the score at 37-3.
For Australia it was a bitter way to end their chances of winning, after finally producing a performance with both bat and ball, worthy of a win in an Ashes series.
Both sides will have little time to recover from the what has been an emotional Test match for different reasons with the series moving to Durham, with the first day’s play to begin on August 9.
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