Sloppy but dazzling England won’t give up on entertainment as rain seals Ashes for Australia
The destination of the Ashes urn was ultimately settled by the weather.
Not even the fearless positivity of England’s ‘Bazball’ tactics could beat the rain to complete the fourth test.
But weather is always a factor to consider.
When to declare?
Too early, certainly, in the first test – allowing Australia to complete a thrilling run chase at Edgbaston.
Wrongly not, perhaps, by captain Ben Stokes and holding on to reach 592 in the first innings on Friday at Old Trafford.
A determination only clear after the lack of play on Sunday produced a draw.
Australia take a 2-1 lead to the Oval finale next week with the urn retained with at least a series draw.
An 8-8 draw retained the women’s series for Australia, as the tourists took part in a multi-format series.
So all that is left to fight for now is denying Australia a first men’s Ashes series win in England in 22 years.
But the washout seemed such an unsatisfactory way to decide a series.
Fans sheltering from the relentless rain expressed frustration over the lack of extra reserve days being built into the Ashes programme to complete tests.
And the forecast for Monday after a weekend drenching? Sunshine all day in Manchester.
But this is already a congested series – squeezed into six weeks by the end of July to allow the ECB to give its Hundred competitions a window to shine.
‘It’s reaching people it’s never reached before’
This, though, has been an Ashes that has showcased the exhilarating best of the five-day format.
The daring, bolder style encouraged by Brendon McCullum has captivated audiences beyond the cricket diehards in the brief window when domestic football is not completely dominating the sports agenda.
Stokes recalled a conversation in a spa changing room – a man who popped into the pub for the first test for a quick drink.
“He ended up having a few more and said he was just transfixed on the game,” Stokes recalled.
“So when you hear stuff like that, it obviously makes you feel good about what we’re doing, that it’s bringing a new fanbase to the game and it’s reaching people that it might never have reached before.”
Test cricket has been made more attractive and approachable – that’s the verdict of former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara.
“That has made it completely palatable to a larger audience – the newer generation, the younger generation,” the Sky Sports pundit said.
Controversies have taken cricket to the front pages, producing sledging between politicians – with Rishi Sunak joshing with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about Australia’s contentious stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s.
That second Test had already seen the moment of drama with Bairstow’s unexpected catch of the series – stopping Just Stop Oil protesters rather than the Australian attack.
And for all Bairstow has been maligned for his ability to keep wicket, memories of the fumbles were replaced by flashes of battling brilliance in Manchester.
His 99 not out from 81 balls here powered England to the 592 that registered their highest home Ashes score since 1985.
Dazzling cricket but without the recent series successes produced in New Zealand and Pakistan.
Read more:
How the fourth Test unfolded
‘Bazball’ is going nowhere
“We stuck by our guns all the way through,” Bairstow said. “We’ll continue to play as we are, as we know the direction we want to go, and there’s a bigger picture with the game of Test cricket.”
That is to maintain Test cricket as the pinnacle of the sport – with the Twenty20 revolution seeing the United States this summer tap into the expansionist opportunities with Major League Cricket.
So ‘Bazball’ will persist as England’s flamboyant approach.
Zak Crawley champions that approach – even if his 189 at Old Trafford ultimately counted for little.
He said: “We’ve shown that being positive suits our players. At other times we absorb pressure.
“But most of the time we try and put pressure back on them.”
England will rue missed opportunities.
“They played some good cricket, but they were sloppy,” said Nasser Hussain, the former England captain turned Sky Sports pundit.
He added: “Wickets off no-balls, they were too ultra-aggressive with the batting at Lord’s, almost believing the hype that they are here to entertain.
“They will look back on these moments and feel they could have done better but you do make mistakes.
“You have to learn from them. If you give Australia a sniff, they will take it.”
Police are investigating after a “number of people” were believed to have been attacked with pepper spray by a group of men who then fled.
Officers were called at 8.11am to a multi-storey car park at Terminal 3 following reports of multiple people being assaulted, said the Metropolitan Police.
A statement by the force said: “A number of people were sprayed with what is believed to be a form of pepper spray by a group of men who then left the scene.”
What we know so far
• Several assaulted with ‘pepper spray’
• One arrest – police hunt for more suspects
• Incident said to involve people known to each other
• Incident not being treated as terrorism
• 21 people treated by ambulance service – five taken to hospital
• Injuries not believed to be life-threatening
• Traffic disruption reported – but train lines since reopened
Live updates on Heathrow incident
Fire engines responding to the incident at Heathrow Airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
Armed police attended and one man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in custody and enquiries continue to trace further suspects.
Police are not treating the Heathrow incident as terrorism.
London Ambulance Service also attended the scene and treated 21 people, including five who were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-changing or life-threatening.
There is currently some disruption to traffic in the area and Terminal 3 remains open.
Increased police presence
Commander Peter Stevens said: “At this stage, we believe the incident involved a group of people known to each other, with an argument escalating and resulting in a number of people being injured.
“Our officers responded quickly and there will be an increased police presence at Heathrow Airport throughout the morning, to continue enquiries and ensure the safety of those in the area.
“We are not treating this incident as terrorism. I understand the public’s concerns and would like to thank those in the area for their cooperation this morning.”
A person is detained at the airport. Pic: @_umarjaved
‘Significant incident’
The London Ambulance Service said a “significant incident” was declared.
There was a “full deployment” of resources and the ambulance service is treating it as ongoing.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: “We were called at 8.14am today to assist emergency service colleagues at an incident near Terminal 3 at Heathrow Airport. Firefighters remain at the scene.”
Heathrow is advising passengers to allow extra time when travelling to the airport and to check with their airline for any queries.
There was disruption to train and Tube services, with some delays on the Elizabeth Line and the Piccadilly Line.
National Rail said on its website that lines had been reopened allowing trains to call at Heathrow “following the emergency services dealing with an incident at the airport”.
It said: “Although lines have now reopened, disruption is expected to continue whilst services return to normal, delays of up to 10 minutes and cancellations can be expected until 11.45am.”
National Highways East said on X: “A serious incident within the @HeathrowAirport Tunnel has resulted in the closure of the #M4 spur road southbound between M4 and J4A.
“@metpoliceuk responding. We’ll keep you updated.”
It later said: “Incident has been resolved and all closures lifted on the #M4 southbound @HeathrowAirport spur road between #M4 and J4A.”
People on social media have reported vehicles were being searched at the airport.
A user on X said there was a “major backlog of cars unable to leave the vicinity or enter the drop-off zone” at Terminal 3.
In footage on X, several armed police were seen in a car park.
England and Scotland fans have found out where their World Cup group games will be played when the tournament kicks off in June.
England, who are in Group L, will begin their tournament against Croatia in Dallas at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 17 June. They will then go on to face Ghana in Boston at 4pm EST (9pm BST) on 23 June and Panama in New Jersey, New York, at 5pm EST (10pm BST) on 27 June.
Scotland are in Group C, and their first match will be against Haiti in Boston at 9pm EST on 13 June (2am GMT the following morning).
They will go up against Morocco also in Boston at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 19 June and then Brazil in Miami at 6pm EST (11pm GMT) on 24 June.
Fans are expected to rush to sort their travel and accommodation plans now that they know where and when the matches take place.
Read more: Unapologetically political – a World Cup draw like no other
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England and Scotland learn World Cup fate
Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to find out if they will qualify.
Wales must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
If they beat these play-off opponents, they will secure their place in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
However, Northern Ireland will also be vying to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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UK
World Cup 2026 – who England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will play
Scotland and England now know who they will face in the group stage of the next summer’s world cup.
But the fates of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Wales won’t be determined until they compete in pre-tournament play-off matches in March.
England are in Group L along with Croatia, Panama and Ghana. Their first match will be against Croatia, who beat them in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Pic: Reuters
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti, in Group C.
Brazil and Morocco are the other Group C teams – both countries were also in the same opening group as Scotland in the 1998 World Cup in France.
Trump and Infantino at the World Cup draw
Wales have yet to find out if they will qualify as they must face a play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff, and then either Italy or Northern Ireland, if they are victorious.
Read more:
EasyJet staff at Luton Airport to strike over Christmas
If they can overcome these play-off opponents then they will secure their place in Group B along with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland. But Northern Ireland will also be vying and hoping to guarantee their spot in the same group if they can beat Italy and then either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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‘Bring it on!’: Scotland fans react to World Cup draw
The Republic of Ireland also need to get through the play-offs first and are paired against the Czech Republic for their semi-final. Should Ireland win that match, they will need to beat either North Macedonia or Denmark to get to the finals where an opening group containing joint hosts Mexico, South Africa and South Korea awaits.
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