All eyes on the skies as Labuschagne ton, Manchester rain gives Aussies a shot at great escape

It wasn’t the total washout many Australians were praying for, but a fighting century from Marnus Labuschagne has combined with the elements to take the visitors a step closer to drawing the fourth Ashes Test, and securing the urn.

Still trailing by 61 runs with five second-innings wickets remaining, England will remain confident of securing an emphatic, series-levelling win should play be possible for at least part of Day 5 – but having taken just one wicket on a rain-affected fourth day thanks to Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh’s (31 not out) stoic rearguard, the fate of the…