England's chances of winning the crucial fourth Ashes test against Australia and levelling the series in Manchester is being threatened by rain. No play was possible on day four at Old Trafford until 2.45pm, with rain possible throughout the rest of the afternoon.
England are in a commanding position in the test with Australia still trailing by 162 runs in their second innings with six wickets remaining. Durham's Mark Wood picked up the crucial wickets of Steve Smith and Travis Head late in the day yesterday to give England confidence in levelling the five match series at 2-2 to force a decider at The Oval next week.
The rain is forecast to fall for most of today and a yellow weather warning for rain has been issued for Greater Manchester covering tomorrow (Sunday). The rain stopped around 1pm with the ground staff able to clear away the puddles and get play underway at 2.45pm.
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Thousands stayed at the ground despite the rain and have been vindicated by their perseverance. They will hope England can pick up the final six wickets as quickly as possible before any potential rain returns.
England Cricket tweeted: "After a wet morning, we're finally underway...Six wickets to level the series. Let's finish the job!"
Keep up to date with all updates from Old Trafford in the live blog below.
Play abandoned
With the rain persisting play has been abandoned for the day at Old Trafford. Australia are 214-5, trailing England by 61 runs.
Given it didn't seem that any cricket would be played today getting 30 overs in is some result for the fans who had tickets. England need to win to stop Australia regaining the Ashes, and to give themselves a chance to win the series 3-2 at The Oval next week.
The forecast is bad for tomorrow, but not quite as bad as today's was. So, there should hopefully be more play than there was today.
Fingers crossed for England fans..
Players must return at 7pm
It is still raining at Old Trafford and the covers are on. If there is to be any more play tonight the players must be on the field by 7pm, which given the rain and the light seems unlikely.
Full covers on
BBC Test Match Special is describing the covers as 'firmly on' with some rain still in the air.
It's unfortunately not looking very promising for any further play today. A yellow weather warning for rain is also in place for tomorrow so it's fingers crossed for England fans.
No one thought there would be any play today and 30 overs were in fact bowled, which is hopefully a good sign.
The covers are on...
The worst news possible for England fans as rain has returned to Old Trafford. It's not heavy but will keep the players off the field for the time being.
Tea
The players have gone off for tea after some tight overs from Root and Ali. Root got the key wicket of Labuschagne which throws the game wide open again.
WICKET
Marnus Labuschage is out! Root gets him to edge behind to Jonny Bairstow.
He's given not out but England review immediately and Labuschagne has to go after making a very good ton.
Labuschagne reaches his ton
After a few sixed plus a four just past slip Labuschagne reaches his ton with a single off Moeen Ali.
Australia have gone about their work very well this morning with England having to bowl spin. They now trail by 69 with the six wickets remaining.
Deficit less than 100
Australia now trail by less than 100 with Marnus Labuschagne hitting the spinners for a few sixes. They now trail by 86 with six wickets remaining.
Reports of rain
Unfortunately the time may be coming. Multiple journalists at the ground are reporting that there is rain in the air, it is very gloomy.
Light is poor at the ground
There are 45 minutes to go until the tea interval and there have been no wickets for England yet.
The floodlights are on and the shadows of the players on the outfield can be clearly seen. Mark Wood was being brought on to bowl his high pace but has been stopped by the umpires due to the poor light.
A light reading is being taken, but it looks like England will have to bowl spin for the time being.
Rain staying away
Ted Abramson and friends will be among the many thousands at Old Trafford today that the rain has cleared...for now.
No luck for England yet
Nearly an hour played and unfortunately for England fans no wickets yet. Marnus Labuschagne, who has passed 50, and Mitch Marsh have looked solid as they look to bat for as long as possible.
Australia still trail by 125 so England will fancy their chances at finishing this tonight. There's lots of rain around the north west according to the radars but it's impossible to predict if there will be any more rain. The floodlights are on at Old Trafford and it is gloomy.
Play is underway
Lancashire legend Jimmy Anderson is opening the bowling as play gets underway. A single off the first.
A BBC Weather presenter told BBC Test Match Special before play started that he expects more showers at the ground and disruption to play this afternoon.
Cricket on the concourses during the rain delay
There may have been no cricket to watch on the pitch itself but the fans did well to keep themselves entertained. And they may now be rewarded with some actual play!
Play scheduled until 7.30pm
With play beginning at 2.45pm the rest of the day's schedule has been tweaked.
There are to be 59 overs to be bowled during the rest of the day, if the rain stays away. The afternoon session will go from 2.45pm to 5pm.
Tea will be taken at 5pm. The evening session will begin at 5.20pm and play can go on until 7pm.
Unfortunately rain is forecast to return in the afternoon so it would be a minor miracle if all 59 overs were played today.
Play to start at 2.45pm
An inspection has taken place and the umpires have said if there is no further rain play will start at 2.45pm!
Inspection taking place
The umpires are currently inspecting the ground, some of the covers have been taken off bringing cheers from the crowd
Clean up continues at pace
@EmiratesOT https://t.co/ZI7xUI91Jb pic.twitter.com/X7UkP2Dd05
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) July 22, 2023
Lancashire draw with Warwickshire
Lancashire have drawn at Warwickshire as the rain persists in Birmingham on the final day.
In news elsewhere, it's match drawn at Edgbaston as the rain persists and the captain's shake hands.
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) July 22, 2023
Lancashire take 10 points from the match.
#RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/HfcwfVRnrs
Pitch inspection at 2pm
Lancashire Cricket have confirmed the rain has stopped for the time being and - if there is no more rain - the umpires will inspect the outfield at 2pm. A predicted re-start time could be announced after this.
There are big puddles on the outfield, which could take a while to dry. The supper sopper machines are hard at work.
Covers are coming off
Some sensational news for England fans as the covers have come off and the ground staff are hard at work to try and dry up the ground. A 40 minute lunch break will still need to be taken, and the forecast for later is still poor, but it's a start at Old Trafford at least.
Scenes #Ashes @bbctms pic.twitter.com/g7TsZKMcAM
— Alison Mitchell (@AlisonMitchell) July 22, 2023
Weather looking brighter at Old Trafford...
Cautiously positive signs at @EmiratesOT. With the rain easing, the grounds team have started early work to begin mopping up the outfield.
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) July 22, 2023
More on the live blog. ⤵
#RedRoseTogether
Lancashire also waiting on rain
Lancashire should also be in action for day four of their LV County Championship Division One match against Warwickshire. However, conditions in Birmingham are much the same as they are here with an early lunch break taken.
An early lunch will be taken at 12.30pm.
— Warwickshire CCC (@WarwickshireCCC) July 22, 2023
#YouBears | #WARvLAN https://t.co/IzVTgpcnhx
What the weather radar shows
The Met Office weather radar is forecasting that the rain should stop around 12.30pm and be dry until at least 2.30pm. However, the rain is predicted to return for the rest of the afternoon after that dry spell.
Given the amount of rain there has already been, it will take a good few hours for the ground to dry and to be prepared for play to start again. In short, it is not looking good for any prospects of play today.
The covers are on
It continues to rain at Old Trafford and the covers are on with no prospects of play soon. Here is a current image of Old Trafford Cricket Ground from their webcame which you can view here.
