Australia retain Ashes after victory at Old Trafford

England, who resumed the day on 18-2, were bowled out for 197 on the last day, with Australia seamer Pat Cummins taking 4 wickets. Australia have taken a 2-1 lead in the series and cannot lose the Ashes urn now.
Australia retained the Ashes after beating England by way of 185 runs at Old Trafford on Sunday to take a 2-1 lead in the series with simply one Test remaining.
England, who resumed on 18-2, were bowled out for 197 on the remaining day with Australia seamer Pat Cummins taking four for 43.
Australia’s victory, with 81 balls remaining, was a convincing one however England’s spirit cannot be criticised as they fought until the closing hour in their try to store the take a look at and maintain the series alive.
The tourists lead 2-1 going into next week’s final check at The Oval the place they hope to become the first Australian crew to win an Ashes collection in England given that 2001.
Steve Smith, whose magnificent double century and then second innings eighty two were the key elements in this win and whose batting for the duration of the collection has ensured the Ashes stay in Australian hands, used to be delighted.
“It feels fantastic to understand the urn is coming home. I’ve been here a few instances when matters haven’t long past our way. This was once usually one to tick off my bucket list. It’s extraordinarily satisfying,” he said.
The most important early resistance from England came from Joe Denly who made 53 from 123 balls and Jos Buttler, who lasted 111 balls for his 34.
England’s hopes of an not likely escape-act rose when Jack Leach and Craig Overton batted for over an hour giving the crowd faith over a 2d ‘miracle’ after the comeback win at Headingley.
But part-time leg spinner Marnus Labuschagne finally removed Leach, with a ball that turned sharply in the hard and was once gloved to Matthew Wade at short leg.
Overton batted with sense, stoicism and a sturdy technique, however he was once trapped lbw via Josh Hazlewood to set off the Australian celebrations.
“I didn’t suppose it would be this emotional,” said Australia captain Tim Paine.
“The quantity of work that’s long past in to preserve the Ashes has been tremendous and I’m absolutely proud of this group and how we bounced back from Headingley,” he added.
England captain Joe Root advised the BBC: “I’m bitterly disappointed. I thinking the way we fought today, the personality we showed, each single one of them can be proud of that today.
“To come so shut to taking it to The Oval is tough to take. We’ve still bought to seem to be forward and make certain we level the series.”
TURNING POINT
England will appear returned on the 2d day of this test as the turning point when they truly could discover no way to eliminate Smith and Australia’s 497-8 declared gave them an benefit that they were unable to critically challenge.
The remaining day used to be in no way going to be a run-chase of Headingley vintage, given the goal of 383, with England’s mission definitely to live on till the close.
That task used to be made all the extra tough after they misplaced Jason Roy and Ben Stokes before lunch.
Roy was once well set earlier than the fantastic Cummins bowled him for 31 with a stunning transport that cut back off the seam to go away England at 66-3.
The crowd rose to welcome Stokes, the hero of England’s last day triumph at Headingley, however there was once to be no repeat overall performance from the all-rounder.
Another exceptional shipping from Cummins clipped the inside part of Stokes’s bat and was well taken by means of wicketkeeper Paine, the England batsman now not waiting for the umpire’s verdict as he walked off.
Denly had been the pick of England’s batsmen before he used to be outdone through sharp flip and jump from spinner Nathan Lyon, the ball placing his glove and being snaffled up by Labuschagne at short leg.
Jonny Bairstow (25) was lbw to Mitchell Starc before Overton came in to be part of Buttler, in what used to be likely England’s ultimate realistic hazard of a massive partnership.
But Buttler misjudged a shipping from Hazlewood which he left only to see it reduce lower back sharply and clatter into his off-stump.
Australia maintain the Ashes, which they received on home turf remaining 12 months and it is the first time they have retained the urn on account that the stop of their lengthy period of domination in 2002.
There is though plenty left to play for when the teams meet once more at The Oval on Thursday — England may want to level the series while Australia will be determined to make certain they go home as winners.