Redlands product Marnus Labuschagne has played a crucial hand in helping Australia draw the fourth Ashes Test and retain the urn they won on home soil 18 months ago.
Labuschagne notched his first Test century in England on a rain-affected fourth day at Manchester, helping Australia fight back from a precarious position in their second innings.
A 103-run partnership with Mitch Marsh helped push the game into the final day.
The tourists were still 243 runs adrift of England’s mammoth first innings total when Labuschagne strode to the wicket. Mark Wood ripped through the Australian top order once again to have the tourists reeling at 4/108.
But Labuschagne held his nerve in overcast conditions to blunt the England attack and notch his first Test century in the UK.
Australia were still 61 runs behind England’s total at the end of day four, and with Labuschagne falling before stumps, the home side remained favourites.
But poor weather played spoilsport for England as rain washed away any chance of play on day five.
Australia will retain the Ashes, with a drawn series now the best possible result for England in the final test.
