Marnus Labuschagne was left with mixed emotions after scoring a century only to be dismissed by Joe Root as Australia battled to save the fourth Test and retain the Ashes on a wet fourth day at Old Trafford.
England, 2-1 down in the five-match series, have been in control of the Test since blasting 592 in reply to Australia’s 317.
Australia lost four second-innings wickets late on day three but heavy rain in Manchester disrupted England’s comeback before a period of dry weather allowed 30 overs of play on day four.
The tourists began to eat into the deficit through Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh, who put on 103 in 186 balls.
But Labuschagne edged Root to a juggling Jonny Bairstow shortly after reaching only his second overseas Test hundred, leaving Australia on 214-5 ahead of day five.
Ben Stokes only turned to Root after the umpires deemed it too dark for pace bowling but the change worked, with England’s No. 4 almost dismissing Marsh too.
More bad weather is forecast for Sunday but England will be desperate to be given enough time to force a win and level the series at 2-2 ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
While an Australia victory is out of the equation, a draw at Old Trafford would be enough for the world Test champions to retain the urn.
‘It’s hard to judge where I feel with it,’ Labuschagne said at stumps. ‘Obviously it’s always very special getting a Test hundred. It doesn’t happen too often but I’m disappointed I couldn’t get us to tea.
‘I feel like my game is in a really good space now. Coming into this game I was confident about my technique and how I was batting.
‘I was able to be confident and go back to my strengths, forcing their hand to bowl a lot of balls at me and take time out of the game.
‘We were so close to having a tremendous day there. We only needed 60 more to be within England’s first innings total.
‘The wicket feels alright, the ball change seems to have more swing and that’ll be a challenge in the morning, if we get play tomorrow. For us, this is about saving this Test match and retaining the Ashes.’
England batting coach Marcus Trescothick, meanwhile, said: ‘It’s really frustrating you know, but you can get days like this in Manchester.
‘Today looked like a complete washout so it’s a bonus. We’re one wicket closer but it’s still frustrating.
‘I think it really does depend on the weather now. We wanted to get two or three wickets today and we’ll take any play we can tomorrow.’
Australia won a thrilling Ashes opener at Edgbaston by two wickets before taking a 2-0 lead in the series courtesy of a 43-run victory at Lord’s. England kept the series alive with a three-wicket win at Headingley.
MORE : Michael Vaughan backs England to beat Australia in fourth Test despite weather fears
MORE : Ben Stokes reacts to Jonny Bairstow dishing out Ashes batting masterclass
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