Australia KEEP the Ashes and put an end to England’s hopes after the final day’s game was completely wiped out at Old Trafford

Australia retained the Ashes after Sunday’s fourth Test at Old Trafford ended in a draw and no game was possible.

England had dominated the opening three days in Manchester and looked well placed to level the series 2-2 ahead of the weekend.

However, the weather had other ideas. With England requiring six wickets over the last two days, they managed just one in just over two hours of play on Saturday and had no chance of taking the last five as Sunday’s game was completely washed out.

That leaves Australia 2-1 up in the series and heads to the oval for the final Test, which begins on Thursday.

The visitors now have their sights set on their first consecutive win in England since 2001.

England were denied a chance to push for victory as the rain prevented a game

Supporters turned out in their thousands, hoping for an England win, but the rain had other ideas

It was a frustrating day for England fans after the hosts dominated the fourth Test

It’s a cruel way for Ben Stokes’ side to miss the ballot box, having held up admirably since losing 2-0 in the series.

Australia won two thrilling Tests at Edgbaston and Lord’s to take the lead, but England gave hope by emerging victorious in another hard-fought competition at Headingley.

The momentum seemed to lie with the hosts and they did little wrong at Old Trafford.

After knocking Australia out with 317 balls, the Stokes men put in a brilliant display of attacking shots, hitting 592 in return, while opener Zak Crawley took the lead with an excellent 189 from just 182 balls.

Mark Wood had a 275-run lead going into the second inning and then picked up three wickets on Friday night to leave Australia on 113 for four overnight.

But on Saturday the rain came to Australia’s aid, with just one session completed before the skies opened up again.

During this period England took only the single wicket from Marnus Labuschagne, though not before he had completed his first century in England.

The Aussie’s No. 3 was cleverly backed up by all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as the Tourists amid constant time wasters advanced to 214 for five players ahead of the final day.

Marnus Labuschagne is congratulated by team-mate Mitchell Marsh on Saturday’s decisive goal that helped Australia avoid defeat and retain the Ashes

The friendly looked set for another thrilling final, but the weather in Manchester thwarted those plans.

After heavy rain overnight, the day’s game was delayed but there was hope when covers were removed just after midday and a scheduled start time of 1pm was announced.

That was good news for the thousands of loyal fans who turned out at Old Trafford, however, as at 12.30pm it began to rain again.

There was a steady drizzle and heavier downpours throughout the afternoon before it was finally confirmed that there would be no game and the game ended in a draw.

It’s the first standoff in the Stokes and Brendon McCullum era, with England doing everything they can to force results since the pair took charge last summer.

Under Stokes and McCullum, England have won 12 Tests and lost four and have now suffered their first draw at the worst possible time.

They must brace themselves for the final Test of the summer, knowing full well that a win would result in a 2-2 draw in the series, a repeat of the result of the last Ashes in England four years ago.

Ben Stokes’ side fought back from a 2-0 deficit but failed to make it across the finish line at Old Trafford