The Ashes, 3rd Test: England vs Australia, Day 5 - as it happened

England have retained the Ashes after third Test ended in a draw. England lead series 2-0. Catch all the highlights here: (Scorecard | Commentary)

Michael Clarke accepting his man of the match award #Ashes pic.twitter.com/eIdznAe8g1

- Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 5, 2013

 

Ashes retained.. Wow! What a feeling.. Outstanding by this team to do it in 3 Tests..

- Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) August 5, 2013

QUOTES:

Australia captain Michael Clarke - Losing the Ashes is a price we pay for going 2-0 down in the series, we have a big job ahead of us.

England captain Alastair Cook - The weather hasn't been ideal but all credit to Australia for their performance.

21:15 (IST): England (368 and 37/3) retain the Ashes after third Test against Australia (527/7d and 172/7d) ends in a draw due to persistent rain on Day 5. England lead series 2-0. Only three balls were possible in the second session of the fifth and final day, with England 37 for three following a top-order collapse that saw captain Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen all dismissed after Australia captain Michael Clarke had declared on his side's overnight 172 for seven. (Read match report)

20:29 (IST): England, who are 2-0 up in the series, will retain the Ashes if this match ends in a draw. Australia will have to win the fourth and fifth Test to level the series. England 37/3 in 20 overs, need 395 more.

 

Tea at 3.40pm, back to its original time. More rain. #Ashes #ReturnTheUrn

- Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 5, 2013

19:10 (IST): In between the rain breaks, there was time for Australia paceman Peter Siddle to strike Ian Bell a painful blow on the thumb with the third ball after lunch. While Bell received on-field treatment from England's physiotherapist, rain started to fall and the umpires took the players off the field before the pitch and square were covered. England 37/3 in 20 overs, need 395 more.

 

The umpires will inspect the outfield at 2.45pm #Ashes #ReturnTheUrn

- Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 5, 2013

 

Covers on really quickly. Great work by the @LancsCCC ground staff #Ashes #Rise pic.twitter.com/ZaC7VXxVEV

- England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2013

 

Very heavy now. Could be a lengthy delay. #Ashes #ReturnTheUrn

- Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 5, 2013

18:35 (IST): It has started raining again. Players walk off the the field and covers are on. Looks like a passing shower. England 37/3 in 20 overs, need 395 more.

18:32 (IST): Australia pacer Peter Siddle starts proceedings after lunch. It's still very very cloudy. England 37/3 in 20 overs, need 395 more.

18:10 (IST): It's raining at the moment at Old Trafford and the ground is covered. England 35/3 in 20 overs, need 397 more.

 

Raining now covers going on

- Damien Martyn (@dmartyn30) August 5, 2013

17:30 (IST): LUNCH! Australia take the morning session. England lost Alastair Cook (0), Jonathan Trott (11) and Kevin Pietersen (8) thanks to fiery spells by Ryan Harris (2/13) and Peter Siddle (1/6). England 35/3 in 20 overs, need 397 more.

17:26 (IST): It's happening so quickly. England have lost three top-order batsmen and both their reviews. Australia definitely have the upper hand here in the first session. All they can pray for is no more rain. England 31/3, need 301 more.

17:18 (IST): WICKET! It's a big one of Kevin Pietersen. Peter Siddle keeps it full outside off stump and beats Pietersen, who tries to drive. Keeper Brad Haddin goes up as soon as he catches it and umpire raises his finger. Unhappy KP takes a review, which third umpire turns down. England 27/3, need 305 more.

17:09 (IST): DROPPED! Joe Root dropped on 6 by Michael Clarke at second slip off Peter Siddle. Catches win matches! And that was a sitter! England 22/2, need 310 more.

16:58 (IST): WICKET! Jonathan Trott departs. Ryan Harris keeps this on legs and Trott (11) tries to flick it but ends up getting a faint edge to keeper down the leg side. England 15/2, need 317 more.

16:50 (IST): Ryan Harris bowling a fiery spell here. Australia take a review after on-field umpire turn down lbw shout against Jonathan Trott. Pretty close that! And Trott survives. Both teams have lost a review each. England 13/1, need 319 more.

16:22 (IST): It's kind of a double blow for the hosts as they have lost captain Alastair Cook and also a review. Jonathan Trott has joined Joe Root at the crease. England 0/0, need 332 runs.

16:10 (IST): WICKET! Ryan Harris strikes to get rid of Alastair Cook. It nipped back in and hit Cook on his shin. Cook reviews and third umpires turns it down. England 0/0, need 332 runs. (In Pic: Ryan Harris celebrates getting rid of Alastair Cook)

16:00 (IST): Ryan Harris starts proceedings on Day 5 with a maiden. England captain Alastair Cook and Joe Root are out in the middle.

15:30 (IST): Australia have declared their second innings on 172/7 to set England a target of 332 runs. 98 overs will be bowled. Weather is clear and start of play on Day 5 is delayed by half hour.

 

Umpires in the middle. Umbrellas down... #Ashes #Rise pic.twitter.com/nvpE8C3Ine

- England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2013

 

This is more encouraging. Old Trafford ground staff removing the covers #Ashes #ReturnTheUrn pic.twitter.com/ZBVLl8ZU58

- Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) August 5, 2013

14:15 (IST): STAT! With Australia's hopes for bouncing back in the Ashes faces rain threat, Old Trafford is England's favourite home ground for retaining the Ashes. They have retained the Ashes four times: 1888, 1905, 1956 and 1981.

 

Good morning from Emirates Old Trafford. This is is view currently. It is raining... #Ashes #Rise pic.twitter.com/LWCQjTbIIi

- England Cricket (@ECB_cricket) August 5, 2013

13:22 (IST): Australia's David Warner insists he is relishing the jeers of the Old Trafford crowd that have accompanied his return to Test cricket. "The interaction with the crowd has been fantastic, I just have to smile and take it," Warner said. "Hopefully I can turn them round."

Warner made 41 on Sunday before, as if pre-ordained, he was caught by Root after hooking Tim Bresnan. "Yeah, hooked another one to Rooty. Out of all the people in the field, it was quite comical. I'll probably read it on Twitter a bit later. (Read more)

12:52 (IST): Kevin Pietersen showed his worth to England by hitting 113 on Saturday on the third day, giving the team renewed hope of a draw that would clinch a third straight Ashes urn. Pietersen says he decided against surgery on his right knee that could have kept him sidelined for nine months so he could play in back-to-back Ashes series this year. Pietersen injured his knee during the tour of New Zealand in March and only returned to action in June, just in time for the Ashes against Australia. (Read full story)

 

Latest @bbcweather forecast for Old Trafford. Not looking good for Australia #ashes pic.twitter.com/9rsxRMotli

- Adam Mountford (@tmsproducer) August 5, 2013

12:31 (IST): It's overcast in Manchester and rain is likely to play spoilsport on Day 5 and any chances of Australia regaining the Ashes looks bleak.

12:17 (IST): Australia, 2-0 down in the five-match series and needing to win this match to stand any chance of regaining the Ashes, were 172 for seven in their second innings -- a lead of 331 runs. Subsequent rain prevented the match resuming and play was officially abandoned at 5.38pm (local time), with officials -- much criticised for their implementation of the Decision Review System this series -- coming under scrutiny once again. (Read Day 4 report here)

11:55 (IST): On Day 4, umpires decided to stop the play due to bad light which miffed Australia skipper Michael Clarke - who wanted to continue playing. Though Australia were in a commanding position yesterday but putting England in to bat in the final session could have been advantageous for the visitors, who are eyeing their first win in the Ashes. With a lead of 331 runs, the  Aussies might declare overnight and hope that they are able to skittle the English as quickly as possible. Remember, if the match ends in a draw, England will retain The Ashes.