ASHES DAY FOUR, FOURTH TEST – SESSION-BY-SESSION: Australia take the honours as play is restricted to just ONE session due to rain as Marnus Labuschagne leads fightback

Play was abandoned after just 30 overs due to rain with Australia on 214 for five going into the final day of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford. The tourists require 61 runs to force England to bat again.

England are aiming to take another but face a race against time with more rain forecast on Sunday. Australia are praying for a washout. 

For a spell it looked as if no play would happen, but finally the two teams managed to get out.

In what could be a key moment this Ashes series, Joe Root claimed the wicket of centurion Marnus Labuschagne. Ben Stokes successfully overturned the on-field call of not out after the Australian was caught behind by Jonny Bairstow. 

Here Mail Sport takes you through the highlights of the one session of play the weather allowed at Old Trafford on day four.  

Rain restricted proceedings at Old Trafford to just 30 overs as England agonised over their fate

Marnus Labuschagne hit 111 as Australia managed 214 for five at Old Trafford

Afternoon session – Australia (1 point) (Australia resumed on 113-4)

Marnus Labuschagne, 44 overnight, tiptoed past 50 and then accelerated past 100. Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh wouldn’t be budged, adding 103 for the fifth wicket. 

Bad light meant Ben Stokes had to stick with spin and Joe Root removed Labuschagne, who edged behind on 111.

Joe Root successfully appealed for the wicket of Labuschagne after a ruling of not out 

Jonny Bairstow managed to catch out Labuschagne in what could be a critical Ashes moment

Verdict (after four days)

Australia – 2 1/2 points

England – 7 1/2 points