Ben Stokes admits it’s ‘tough to take’ as rain ends England’s bid to reclaim the Ashes and Australia retain the urn ahead of final Test at the Oval

Ben Stokes admitted watching Australia retain the Ashes urn after drawing the fourth test at Old Trafford is a ‘tough one to take’ but stressed his England side will fight to level the series at the Oval.

England were denied the chance of a mouth-watering final Test decider by torrential rain in Manchester that halted play on Saturday and meant it never got back underway on Sunday. 

The hosts were in control after their outstanding batting display and had rattled through six Australian wickets in the visitors’ second innings but couldn’t control the weather that eventually settled the Test as a draw.

Australia were rescued by the rain as England washed out and a downtrodden Stokes struggled to hide his frustration afterwards.

‘It’s a tough one to take, playing the cricket we have managed to play over the first few days and to get on the wrong side of the weather is a tough one but I guess it’s all part of the journey,’ the England skipper told Sky Sports.

Ben Stokes was downbeat as Australia retained the Ashes urn at Old Trafford on Sunday

England were denied the chance of sealing victory as play failed to get underway on Sunday

‘I think coming into this game knowing what we needed to do and the task that we had at hand played into our hands a little bit. 

‘It was another do or die game for us and obviously winning the toss and bowling Australia out for 320 and then scoring 570 at nearly six runs an over I don’t think we could have done too much.

‘It is one of those that will be tough to look back on but we still have one more game in the series and like in 2019 we ended up tying the series and Australia retained the urn but we still have a lot of pride to play for in the next game,’ he added.

Stokes’ frustration is understandable as hopes of a first Ashes victory were dampened with Australia helped by the weather in their bid to hold onto the urn.

Australia captain Pat Cummins (left) was all smiles as the Test result was confirmed

Torrential rain throughout Sunday prevented play from getting underway in Manchester

Stokes took time to sign autographs and speak with young supporters after the match

England’s Bazball approach to red ball cricket almost sealed a brilliant comeback against the reigning world Test champions and they still have a chance to tie the series at the Oval.

Despite the result, Stokes maintained enthusiasm and stayed around to speak to waiting fans and sign autographs for spectators that had remained.

He smiled and pose for photos with disappointed England supporters while Australia captain Pat Cummins also carried out his media duties while being covered by an umbrella.

The final Test will get started on Thursday when both teams travel to the Oval with England hoping to tie the series.