Marnus Labuschagne scored his 11th Test century to frustrate England before falling on 111 as Australia reached 214 for 5 at stumps on the rain-affected fourth day of the fourth Ashes Test at Old Trafford on Saturday. The visitors still trail by 61 runs.

After the start of play was delayed due to wet weather, Australia resumed on 113 for 4, needing 162 runs to make England bat again, with No.3 Labuschagne on 44 and Mitchell Marsh on 1.

Sensing opportunity, England began aggressively as they looked to take quick wickets, with Mark Wood leading the attack after his vicious spell on Friday decimated most of Australia’s top order.

Labuschagne and Marsh did well to soak up the early pressure, stealing singles and finding the occasional boundary to keep the scoreboard ticking as dark clouds continued to gather over the stadium.

Their partnership was mostly judicious in their shot selection and gave England very few chances. Labuschagne gradually started getting into his flow even as Marsh dug deep at the other end.

Umpires then ruled that it was too murky for pacer Wood to bowl, forcing England captain Ben Stokes to bring in spinner Moeen Ali and part-timer Joe Root.

The change initially played into Australia’s hands, with Labuschagne hitting Root for two sixes and two fours to bring up his first century in England, but a rare lapse in concentration led to the batter nicking a Root delivery through to Jonny Bairstow just before tea.

The ball had a bit of fizz and Labuschagne’s half-hearted late cut ended up as a bottom-edge which Bairstow pouched on the rebound. It wasn’t given on-field but Bairstow egged Stokes to review and was proven right.

The rain returned soon after the players left the field. With the weather forecast for the rest of the day looking bleak and no let up in rain, the umpires decided on early stumps.

Marsh was batting on a patient 31 when tea was taken. Cameron Green appeared a bit shaky though.

Written with Reuters inputs