Ashes 4th Test: Marnus Labuschagne cracks valiant ton as Australia not yet out of woods

Manchester: Marnus Labuschagne cracked a valiant century, but that was not enough for Australia to walk the talk as his side was not out of woods with ending the rain-hit Day 4 of fourth Ashes Test at 214/5, trailing hosts by 61 runs at Old Trafford here on Saturday.

At stumps, Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green are batting on 31 and 3, respectively. Both the unbeaten batsmen have the ability to score quickly and erase the defeat, but it all depends on the weather conditions.

England need 5 wickets to square the series, but Marsh and Green have the ability to make quick runs and erase the deficit, but all depends upon the weather conditions.

The weather forecast for tomorrow is heart-breaking for English fans. Probably worse than it was for today. England were lucky to get a session of play today, and will hope for similar conditions tomorrow and pick up the remaining 5 wickets to square the five-Test series.

After losing the entire first session, England were really made to sweat it out as both Labuschagne and Marsh played with dogged determination, fending off far too many good balls.

Amidst mounting criticism, Labuschagne notched up a crucial century (111) to aid Australia in tracking down England's sizeable lead.

Bad light forced England to bowl spin towards the back end of that session and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as Joe Root managed to account for the set Labuschagne. (UNI)