The start of Day Four action in the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford in Manchester has been postponed due to heavy rain. The match between England and Australia hangs in the balance, with England needing six wickets for victory to level the series at 2-2.
England’s dominant performance in the first innings, with a total of 592, has put them in control of the fixture. Australia currently trails by 162 runs and has already lost four wickets in their second innings, including key batsmen Steve Smith and Travis Head.
Although rain was expected to wash out the entire day, optimistic fans were hopeful for some action on Saturday. England holds a commanding lead of 275 runs after their impressive batting display, which included an unbeaten 99 for wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.
The fourth Test is considered crucial to the overall series, as England remains in control and Australia needs a substantial number of runs to challenge England’s batters. England’s bowler Mark Wood received praise from former cricketer Nasser Hussain for his three wickets against Australia before the close of play on Friday.
Unfortunately, rain interrupted the action briefly on Friday, and it appears that Saturday’s hold-up will be much longer. The Met Office has predicted a wet and gloomy forecast for Manchester, with outbreaks of heavy rain expected throughout the day. The chance of precipitation is as high as 95 percent in the morning, and the maximum temperature is forecasted to be 17°C.
Australia currently leads the Test series 2-1 after a strong start, but fans of the hosts are hopeful for a turnaround, aiming for a 3-2 victory. However, the completion of this Test is highly dependent on whether play can be resumed in the coming days, as the inclement weather poses a significant challenge.
Due to the persistent rain, the players can take lunch at midday instead of the usual time. Despite the earlier break, it remains uncertain whether action can commence at 1 pm, as there are visible puddles on the pitch and spectators at Old Trafford have been spotted with umbrellas.
In conclusion, the much-anticipated fourth Ashes Test faces a delay due to heavy rain in Manchester. England’s commanding position and Australia’s uphill battle to overcome the deficit hang in the balance as fans eagerly await a break in the weather. The Met Office’s forecast of continued rain throughout the day adds to the uncertainty surrounding the match. Both teams will have to patiently wait for the rain to subside and hope for the opportunity to resume play.
