Vaughan sets magic number for England win

All eyes are on the sky and Josh Hazlewood even conceded after yesterday Australia needs the heavens to open up for most of day four and five to avoid defeat in the fourth Test.

England needs a further six wickets to square the Ashes at 2-2, with Australia still trailing by 162 runs.

The issue for Ben Stokes and his side is heavy rain is already falling in Manchester and threatens to wipe out much of the last two days of the Test.

If Australia can hold on and avoid defeat, it will retain the Ashes regardless of what happens at The Oval in the fifth Test.

Follow the latest weather and cricket updates below.

9PM: VAUGHAN SETS 45-OVER MINIMUM FOR ENGLAND TO WIN TEST

Michael Vaughan says England will have ample time to win the fourth Test if more than 45 overs are played on the fourth and fifth days combined.

There has been no sign of any chance of play so far on day four as rain continues to fall at Old Trafford.

Speaking on BBC, Vaughan said the Test would be lineball if 45 overs (have the allocated amount for a full day) could be played.

“…Say we get 45 overs of play. Let’s be honest, we’re not going to get a lot today,” the former England skipper said.

“We might get delays tomorrow, but say we get 45 overs of play. Australia have got a target now, 45 overs to bat with six in.

“ I’m not saying it’s easy, but when your mindset is right it’s just 45 overs of batting for us to retain the Ashes. You’ve got to fancy that we’ll find something in that.

“If it’s a bit longer I think England will quite easily win the game tomorrow.”

Vaughan questioned whether England should have declared earlier.

“You know this England side have played a Test match this week as good as we’ve seen an England team play against Australia for many, many generations,” he said.

“They’ve absolutely hammered in every aspect of the game. They’ve been far, far better in skill, mentality, everything about this England side has been spot on this week.

“But the question will be asked at the end of the game and it’s always the proof in the pudding you know, Ben could have declared after lunch, you know, they could have.”

8.30PM: RAIN FALLING INSIDE OLD TRAFFORD

Forget the prospect of any player in Manchester.

There’s now rain falling inside Old Trafford.

Sky Sports cameras have shown drops of rain falling from what appears to be a vent which gives you some idea of how heavy the rain is right now.

Stuart Broad is using his time off the ground to push for full ground covers too.

It’s a fair point because although the pitch is staying dry, the rest of the ground is getting drenched right now.

8.20PM: HEALY FIRES BACK AT CUMMINS CAPTAINCY TALK

Ian Healy says a suggestion Pat Cummins will stand down as captain at the end of the Ashes is “not fair”.

Former Victorian wicketkeeper Darren Berry tweeted on Friday: “Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg — he will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The question is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh?”

Asked about the claim during the rain delay on day four, Healy said: No, that’s not fair.

“I don’t know where Darren’s got his inside information as to when someone is going to resign. No.

“It is very difficult, whether you’re a bowler or not — don’t tell Tubby that.

For Pat, most of the captaincy happens in the field. Sure, there is an element off the field but when you’ve got so much on the field, you’ve got to get your personal basics right, worry about the other end and who is going to bowl and then injuries you’re dealing with. It is really, really difficult. They’ve got tactics that weren’t quite right.”

7.55PM: NO CHANCE OF START ON TIME

Forget any prospect of day four starting on time at 8pm.

Lancashire Cricket provided an update about 10 minutes ago which will please those wanting rain to help Australia claim a draw.

“Unfortunately, the rain is coming down much heavier now here @EmiratesOT. It’s safe say we are set for a delayed start,” it tweeted.

7.35PM: ‘GREATEST TRAVESTY’ — PIERS UNLEASHES

Broadcaster Piers Morgan has unleashed on the morning of day four of the fourth Test, saying it will be “the greatest travesty in the history of Ashes cricket” if Australia retains the urn thanks to rain.

Morgan, who has been involved in a twitter tit for tat with former Aussie quick Merv Hughes throughout the series, described the Australian side as “trampled, battered, beleaguered, Bazballed, desperate, white-flag-flying”.

There is no sign of play in Manchester this morning, according to our man on the ground Daniel Cherny.

Not ideal for Piers.

Now we wait and see if Merv has something to say in reply…

Meanwhile, Mark Taylor provides a conditions update from a wet Old Trafford: “Not great for people who want to watch the cricket but the forecast is not good,” he says on Channel 9. “Talking about 16 degree max. 90 per cent chance of rain or greater all day here.

“The forecast for tomorrow is not great either. It is terrible news for spectators and commentators and what have you but great news for Australia because the chance to play today is only slight.”

7.15PM: ATHERTON — AUSTRALIA MAY NOT RECOVER FROM THIS

Former England skipper Mike Atherton says Australia could be left with psychological scars from its Manchester mauling.

England is six wickets from making the Ashes 2-2, with weather the only hope for Australia to stay ahead in the series.

Writing in his regular Times column, Atherton said of the Australians: “They were ragged again at times and their fast bowlers were treated with disdain so there must surely be some psychological effect from this pulverising if the series is still alive next week.”

He later added: “Stokes has Australia exactly where he wants them, on the ropes and on the defensive.”

Whether England gets a chance to land the knockout blows in Manchester remains to be seen though.

READ MIKE ATHERTON’S FULL ASHES COLUMN HERE

6.45PM: IT’S VERY WET IN MANCHESTER

English cricket fans have woken to the news they dreaded.

It’s pouring rain in Manchester.

The hourly forecast for much of day four predicted a 90-100 per cent chance of rain and the covers have been on at Old Trafford this morning as rain falls in England’s north.

Local media is reporting England may get its crack at Australia from about midday-4pm local time, but the forecast outside that is grim if you’re an English fan.

PRESSURE ON CUMMINS AFTER AUSSIES’ MANCHESTER DEBACLE

Pat Cummins’ time as Australia captain is up according to one former player predicting he will resign after the Ashes series.

Two days of forecast rain in Manchester is about the only thing that can save Australia from handing England a series-levelling win at Old Trafford.

Mark Wood ran through Australia’s top order to leave the Aussies 4-113 in their second innings at stumps on day three, still 162 runs away from making the hosts bat again.

Marnus Labuschagne grafted his way to 44 not out, while Mitch Marsh was unbeaten on one.

England had earlier amassed 592 in 107.4 overs as the rudderless tourists capitulated in the field.

The Aussies will retain the Ashes with a draw in this match but realistically will need the weather on their side to do so.

It seems faith in the captain is waning too with former Victorian state captain Darren Berry venting his frustrations.

“This is unwatchable,” Berry tweeted. “This is absolutely insane to anyone watching this s**t with half a clue about the game. Enough is enough now … keep banging em in lads WTF.

“Pat Cummins is a magnificent cricketer no doubt but remember this msg — he will resign from the captaincy after the Ashes series. The question is do they go back to Smudge or move forward to Head or Marsh?”

The UK media is being equally critical of the Aussie captain saying ‘Australia look like a team without a leader’.

“The horrors visited upon Pat Cummins these past three days look to have aged him about 30 years, with his billboard-friendly face redrawn into a mask of Bazball-induced torment,” Oliver brown wrote in the Telegraph.

“It has been a zombie display by the normally ebullient Australia captain. In every department, Cummins has exhibited the reverse-Midas touch.

“Here in Manchester, playing his fifth Test in six weeks, he has resembled a man running on fumes. Regrettably, doubts over Cummins are multiplying with every misstep he makes.”

Originally published as Ashes cricket 2023: Australia v England fourth Test scorecard, day four coverage