MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Australia captain Michael Clarke said drawing the Test series with England would still be a notable achievement after dreams of regaining the Ashes were washed away in Manchester.
The tourists had to win at Old Trafford to regain the urn and were in a commanding position as England collapsed to 37 for three on Monday’s final day after Clarke’s declaration left them needing 332 to win.
But then rain prevented any further play and the match was abandoned as a draw with England, now 2-0 up with just two to play in the five-match series, assured of retaining the Ashes after wins by 14 runs and a mammoth 347 runs in the first two Tests at Trent Bridge and Lord’s respectively.
Nevertheless this result stopped a run of six successive Test defeats for Australia, their worst in 29 years, and spared them the shame of equalling the national record losing streak of seven set long ago by the teams of 1885-88.
And it meant Clarke’s men could still end this series all square at 2-2.
The last time an Ashes series finished level was in England in 1972 and then Australia captain Ian Chappell credited that 2-2 campaign as the springboard for the several successful years that followed.
Now Clarke wants to follow suit, insisting he still has ambitions in this series that could yet prove a morale-booster for his side ahead of the next series.
“If we can level the series we will take a lot of confidence back to Australia,” said Clarke, man-of-the-match at Old Trafford for his brilliant first innings 187.
“I’m confident if we play the type of cricket that we have through the four days here that we will give it a real good shake.”
AFP
