On This Day — England Retain the 2013 Ashes Urn After Manchester Test Ends in Draw

On 5th August 2013, the third Test at Old Trafford reached its final day with Australia needing a win to keep the series alive. However, rain interrupted play and denied them a chance at victory. With the draw, England retained the Ashes. It was a dramatic end to a gripping contest, where both sides had their moments, but the weather had the final say.

Australia vs England: 3rd Test from 1-5th August 2013

For the third Test of the 2013 Australia tour of England and Scotland, Old Trafford in Manchester hosted a thrilling contest that ended in a draw, thanks to persistent rain on the final day. It was a match filled with drama, from Michael Clarke’s commanding 187 for Australia to Kevin Pietersen’s fighting century for England. Both teams showed moments of brilliance, but the weather had the final say, leaving England’s 2-0 series lead intact.

Australia’s First Innings

Australia’s decision to bat first after winning the toss set the tone for a dominant performance, as they piled on 527/7 declared in 146 overs. The innings revolved around Michael Clarke’s monumental 187 off 314 balls, a 443-minute epic that included 23 fours and a strike rate of 59.55. Walking in after Shane Watson’s departure for 19, caught by Alastair Cook off Tim Bresnan in the 17th over, Clarke was a rock, blending caution with aggression. His innings was a captain’s knock, picking gaps with ease and punishing loose balls to keep Australia in control.

Chris Rogers played a crucial supporting role, scoring 84 off 114 balls with 14 fours at a strike rate of 73.68. His fluent start gave Australia momentum before Graeme Swann trapped him lbw. Steven Smith’s 89 off 196 balls, with a strike rate of 45.40, was a gritty effort, forming a 214-run partnership with Clarke for the fourth wicket. This stand broke England’s spirit on a flat Old Trafford pitch. Usman Khawaja flopped with just 1, and David Warner managed only 5, both dismissed by Swann, who toiled for 43 overs to take 5 wickets for 159 runs. The lower order added vital runs, with Brad Haddin’s unbeaten 65 off 99 balls and Mitchell Starc’s unbeaten 66 off 71 balls, including nine fours, pushing Australia past 500.

Their 97-run stand for the eighth wicket was a late surge that showcased their depth. England’s bowlers struggled as James Anderson went wicketless for 116 runs in 33 overs, and Stuart Broad took just 1 for 108. Swann’s wickets, including Peter Siddle for 1, kept England fighting, but Australia’s run rate of 3.60 over 649 minutes reflected their dominance. Clarke’s declaration on day two, after being 303/3 overnight, was a bold move, putting England under pressure and setting a daunting challenge. This innings was a testament to Australia’s batting strength and Clarke’s leadership, leaving England with a mountain to climb.

England’s First Innings

England’s response was a battling 368 all out in 139.3 overs, but they fell 159 runs short of Australia’s total. Kevin Pietersen’s 113 off 206 balls, with 12 fours and two sixes, was the standout, a dazzling display of aggression and skill. Coming in with England wobbling, he forged a 115-run partnership with Ian Bell, who scored 60 off 112 balls with 10 fours and a six. Their stand was the heart of England’s effort, offering hope after a shaky start. Alastair Cook laid a foundation with 62 off 177 balls, but his dismissal to Mitchell Starc on day two, with England at 52/2, opened the floodgates.

Joe Root scratched out 8 before Peter Siddle got him, and Tim Bresnan’s 1 was another early blow, both falling to Siddle’s probing lines. Jonathan Trott’s 5 off 32 balls, caught by Clarke off Ryan Harris, left England at 64/3, and the pressure was immense. Pietersen and Bell fought back, with Bell’s stylish drives complementing Pietersen’s power. But Bell’s exit to Harris (2/82) on day three sparked a collapse, and Pietersen’s departure to Starc (3/76) around the 110th over was a killer blow. Jonny Bairstow’s 22 couldn’t turn things around, and despite Matt Prior’s 30 and Stuart Broad’s 32, England kept losing wickets at crucial moments.

Siddle’s 4/63, including Graeme Swann’s 11, was relentless, while Nathan Lyon’s 1/95 and Shane Watson’s tight 0/26 kept England’s run rate to a cautious 2.63 over 598 minutes. The collapse from 225/4 to 280/7 highlighted England’s struggle to sustain partnerships beyond Pietersen and Bell. It was a valiant effort, but Australia’s bowlers, led by Siddle’s swing and Starc’s pace, exposed England’s frailties. Pietersen’s century was a lone spark in an innings that lacked the depth to match Australia’s towering total, setting up a challenging second half of the match.

Australia’s Second Innings

Australia’s second innings was a bold, aggressive push, racing to 172/7 declared in just 36 overs at a run rate of 4.77. Their goal was to set England a steep target of 332 and force a result. David Warner led the charge with a brisk 41 off 57 balls, including five fours, setting a fiery tempo. Michael Clarke, unbeaten on 30 off 32 balls, anchored the innings with his trademark composure, ensuring Australia stayed on track. Steven Smith’s quick 19, with two sixes, and Mitchell Starc’s 11 added vital runs, but England’s bowlers kept things tight.

Chris Rogers fell for 12 to Stuart Broad, and Usman Khawaja’s 24 ended when Graeme Swann bowled him, keeping Australia in check. Tim Bresnan (2/25) and James Anderson (2/37) struck key blows, dismissing Warner and Brad Haddin (8). A run-out of Smith, thanks to substitute Craddock, added drama, but Australia’s intent never wavered. Clarke’s declaration after 176 minutes was a masterstroke, reflecting his attacking mindset, which Ian Chappell hailed as a sign of Australia’s growing strength.

Swann’s 1/74 and Broad’s 1/30 showed England’s bowlers were sharper this time, but Australia’s plan was clear: pile on runs fast and back their bowlers to skittle England. The fall of wickets, from 74/2 (Warner) to 152/6 (Haddin), kept the innings dynamic, but Clarke’s call to declare at 172/7 was a gamble that set up a thrilling final day. The rapid scoring rate and strategic declaration boosted Australia’s confidence and depth, putting England under immense pressure to chase a daunting total in what promised to be a tense finish, had the weather not intervened.

England’s Second Innings

Chasing 332, England’s second innings was a desperate struggle, limping to 37/3 in 20.3 overs before rain washed out the final day. It started with a disaster as Alastair Cook was trapped lbw for a duck by Ryan Harris in the third over. Jonathan Trott managed 11 before Brad Haddin caught him off Harris, and Kevin Pietersen’s 8 ended the same way, this time off Peter Siddle.

At 27/3, England were in deep trouble. Joe Root, unbeaten on 13 off 57 balls, and Ian Bell, unbeaten on 4, showed grit, but their run rate of 1.80 was all about survival, not chasing. Harris (2/13) and Siddle (1/8) bowled with fire, exploiting early swing to keep England pinned down. Rain became the story on day five, with stoppages at lunch, tea, and beyond, limiting play to just 95 minutes. England’s reviews for Cook and Pietersen failed, highlighting their batting woes. Root and Bell hung on, but the target was a distant dream.

The draw, while a relief for England, frustrated Australia, who had dominated much of the match. The weather robbed what could have been a thrilling finish, preserving England’s series lead. Australia’s bowling discipline and Clarke’s bold strategy had England on the ropes, but rain was the ultimate winner, leaving fans wondering what might have been. This innings, though brief, showed England’s resilience under pressure, even if the weather was their true saviour in a match that promised so much.