Australia retain Ashes after rain ends England’s fourth Test hopes – as it happened

Ben Stokes’ expression says it all. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

6.09pm BST

Our match report from a sodden Old Trafford.

6.01pm BST

And that is that. We are left with the if-onlys – mainly the scenario in which the rain allowed, say, half a day’s play today. Whether England would have wrapped it up or Australia would have continued their dogged resistance, we haven’t the soggiest. It just would have been good to know.

As it is, they go to the Oval with Australia 2-1 up and plenty for both sides to play for. The Aussies are eyeing their first Ashes series victory in this country since 2001. England need a win, not just to draw the series but to confirm that they’ve been the better team since Lord’s. For what it’s worth, their record against Australia at the Oval is good.

Thanks for your company and correspondence, and we’ll see you on Thursday for the final act in this gripping drama.

Updated at 6.08pm BST