Ashes 2013: England retains the urn after rain washes away Australian fightback at Old Trafford

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Sorry, this video has expired Video: Highlights of the final day of play at old Trafford where England retained the Ashes (ABC News)

England has retained the Ashes as constant rain after lunch extinguished Australia's encouraging fight towards victory at Old Trafford on Monday.

Alastair Cook and his troops only required a draw to retain the urn and they achieved that result from the dressing rooms as downpours in Manchester cut the final day well short.

England finished at 3 for 37, with Joe Root unbeaten on 13 and Ian Bell 4 not out, 294 runs short of Australia's target.

It is just the second time England has secured the series after three matches, the other occasion being in 1928-29.

"After three Test matches, to be in this situation is obviously very pleasing," Cook told the BBC.

"So great credit to the lads for playing some really good cricket at Lord's, fighting hard at Trent Bridge and getting the right side of that result - that was a bit of a nailbiter.

We've been behind the eight ball, Australia played some really good cricket ... in the five days we've been under some pressure. England captain Alastair Cook

"And then today in this game we've been behind the eight ball, Australia played some really good cricket.

"I think it was a good toss to win, obviously a bit of an anti-climax in one way today but in the five days we've been under some pressure."

Australian skipper Michael Clarke was named man of the match in the losing effort after scoring 187 and 30 not out for Australia.

Australia was set to resume at 7 for 172, a lead of 331, but with play delayed Clarke took the opportunity to declare and set England a target to chase, or at least a day to survive.

The Aussies took complete advantage, dismissing England skipper Cook before a run was scored before reducing the home side to 2 for 15 and then 3 for 35 at lunch.

But the rain returned as the players were preparing to, forcing another 20-minute delay until umpires Tony Hill and Marais Erasmus decided the weather was good enough to resume.

The second session only lasted three deliveries, with Ian Bell adding two runs to his lunch score of 2, before the heavens opened again and players were forced off the field.

The covers were briefly lifted but they were replaced shortly after as the rain returned and a scheduled pitch inspection for 2:45pm (local time) came and went.

Tea was the next interval to be washed away as the downpour showed no sign of stopping before the match was officially abandoned at 4:40pm.

Race against the clock

It was a disappointing end to the Test for the tourists, who had looked the most dangerous with ball and bat that they had all series.

Clarke may be left to rue his decision not to declare on Sunday afternoon with a lead of 291 and an opportunity to bowl to England in the fading light in Manchester.

The rain was forecast to come earlier in the Test but it held off until Australia was in a position to win.

"It's obviously very disappointing," he told Grandstand after receiving his man-of-the-match award.

"I thought the Australian boys deserve a lot of credit [for] the way we played this Test match, especially after Lord's.

"But I don't want to take anything away from England, I thought they played really well in the first two Test matches.

"Unfortunately when you play in the UK there's a chance rain's going to play a part and it obviously has throughout this Test match."

The first session was delayed for half an hour as ground staff worked to drain the water from the outfield but the rain dried up and surprisingly gave way to a full session of cricket.

Unfortunately when you play in the UK there's a chance rain's going to play a part and it obviously has throughout this Test match. Australian captain Michael Clarke

Ryan Harris was the best of the bowlers in the Aussie second innings, sending Cook packing lbw in just his second over of the day.

The English skipper was smacked square on the pad right in front but called for a review anyway, with replays showing he was absolutely plum.

It was the first time Cook had recorded a duck in 27 innings since taking the reins as English captain.

Jonathan Trott became Harris's second victim shortly after, departing caught behind for 11.

Big-hitting right-hander Kevin Pietersen then came to the crease but did not last long, pouring further fuel on the DRS fire as he left.

Pietersen was given out caught behind off Peter Siddle for 8 but was adamant that he had not got bat to the delivery, only to storm off with a few choice words after third umpire Kumar Dharmasena confirmed Hill's original decision.

It was a morbidly fitting way for the final wicket to fall in a match that saw continued criticism unleashed against the umpiring and decision referral system alike.

Usman Khawaja was given out in controversial circumstances that prompted Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to call it one of the worst decisions he had ever seen, while Steve Smith escaped when plumb lbw in the first innings after England had already used both of its reviews.

Topics: ashes, cricket, sport, england, united-kingdom, australia

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