Ashes 2023: Rain curtails play on Day 4 as England continue to hold upper hand in fourth Test

Australia century-maker Marnus Labuschagne fell to Joe Root before rain returned to frustrate England’s hopes of forcing a series-levelling win in the fourth Ashes Test on Saturday.

Only 30 overs had been bowled during the fourth day at Old Trafford when the wet weather swept back in during the revised tea break.

Play was officially abandoned for the day at 5.27 pm GMT.

Australia are 214-5 in their second innings, still 61 runs behind England, who scored 592 in their first innings.

Labuschagne was the only Australia batter to lose his wicket on Saturday, but not before he had kept England at bay with an innings of 111 – his highest score in an overseas Test.

England, currently 2-1 down in the five-match series, must win at Old Trafford if they are to maintain their hopes of regaining the Ashes.

“Obviously it’s always very special getting a Test hundred,” Labuschagne told the BBC.

“It doesn’t happen too often but I’m disappointed I couldn’t get us to tea.”

‘Good space’

The 29-year-old had been struggling for runs prior to this match but Saturday’s hundred, his 11th in 42 Tests, followed his 51 in Australia’s first innings 317.

“I feel like my game is in a really good space now,” added Labuschagne.

“Coming into this game I was confident about my technique and...

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