Australia retain the Ashes as rain denies England fourth Test victory at Old Trafford
Australia have retained the Ashes after England were cruelly denied a fourth Test victory to level up the series at 2-2.
No action was played at Old Trafford on Sunday in the fifth day of the Test with Ben Stokes' side on the of brink of victory.
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England needed five wickets to win the Test having registered a monster score of 592 runs in their first innings.
But after two days of almost non-stop rain, play was unable to resume - leading the fourth Test to end as a draw.
That means when England and Australia meet again next week at the Oval, the best that Stokes and England coach Brendan McCullum can hope for is a 2-2 draw overall.
In the event of a drawn series, the Ashes are retained and will mean that the Aussies will keep hold of the urn.
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Taking to social media, England : "A special Test match, for so many reasons, is cut short by the rain.
"Stumps have been called. The match is drawn. Onto the Oval."
Australia meanwhile : "That'll do! The Old Trafford Test is a draw meaning we retain the Ashes!"
After a scintillating series, it puts a damp squib on what could have been an absolute classic with England the favourites to have won at Old Trafford.
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Fans were set up for a nail-biting Test classic after Australia had raced into a 2-0 lead after victories at Edgbaston and Lord's.
Australia, who haven't won an Ashes series in England since 2001, had trailed by 61 runs by the end of play on Saturday, but England had all the momentum.
Having bowled the visitors all out for 317 in their first innings, England were expected to close out the fourth Test in style.
But a constant stream of rain throughout Sunday ended any chance of play, with large puddles appearing in the afternoon.
There had been a pitch inspection scheduled for 12:15pm when clouds parted momentarily.
However, before lunch could even be taken, the rain came again and did not stop for most of the day.
Despite the torrid weather, fans did not leave the ground for several hours and kept the hope alive.
But by the usual mark for tea and no sign of the showers dispersing, even the hardiest of fans had their dreams drenched in disappointment.
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Nevertheless, the Ashes has done plenty to rekindle love in this country for Test cricket, which has had its failings in recent years.
There have been moments that will live long in the memory such as Stokes' heroic stand at Headingley, Mark Wood's supersonic bowling and Pat Cummins leading by example at Edgbaston.
While the result has already been decided ahead of the final Test next week at the Oval, the series should still be celebrated as one of the most enthralling in recent times.
There is no shame in losing to Australia, arguably the best Test team in the world.
However, the manner in which the Ashes was washed away will certainly rankle hard for England.
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