A Marnus Labuschagne century and Mitch Marsh’s defence has given Australia hope of holding on to draw the fourth Test and retain the Ashes, after a rain-marred day four in Manchester.
After the first half of the day was washed away by rain, Australia fought to be 5-214 in their second innings when bad weather ended play at tea on Saturday.
The tourists still need 61 more runs to make England bat again, but rain is forecast again for Sunday with a weather alert sent out by local authorities.
And after Australia batted for 135 minutes on Saturday for the loss of only one wicket, the situation is no longer so dire for Australia.
Labuschagne did fall for 111 just before tea, caught behind trying to cut Joe Root while England were restricted to bowling spin at a gloomy Old Trafford.
Cameron Green then survived a chance later in the same over when he was put down by Harry Brook, low to the ground, at short leg.
And while England are still firmly on top, Australia would still have likely taken this position at the start of the day.
After resuming at 4-113, Labuschagne and Marsh batted through the majority of Saturday’s play in a 103-run fifth-wicket stand.
Labuschagne had been near chanceless until he entered the 90s, working the ball square of the wicket and using his feet to hit Root for two big sixes over mid on.
The century was Labuschagne’s first in 23 innings and only his second away from home, after enduring a frustrating tour of several wasted starts in England.
However, the No.3 would still have been disappointed with the way he was caught behind off Root, given it was a ball wide outside off that spun back at him.
Marsh barely offered an opportunity to England in an unbeaten 31.
After holding his spot in the team with a run-a-ball 118 at Headingley a fortnight ago, the hard-hitting West Australian showed he had another gear on Saturday.
He soaked up 107 balls in his innings, only attempting a big shot when Moeen Ali over-pitched with a full toss on off stump.
Australia need to draw the match to ensure they retain the Ashes as current holders — they have a 2-1 lead in the series with one more Test to play.
However, a win for England would make mean an Ashes series goes to a fifth and deciding Test at 2-2 for the first time since 1936-37.
-AAP
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