Ben Soaks

SKIPPER: RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY

- DEAN WILSON

BEN STOKES will turn up at Old Trafford today praying for anything but a day of rest - and a chance to keep his side's Ashes dreams alive.

England have pushed and probed and dominated the fourth Test from the start.

But they remain hostages to fortune when it comes to the weather, and on 214-5, still 61 behind, Australia are not giving up their series lead without a fight.

Luckily for England they have plenty of players ready to scrap for every last crumb.

And none more so than Joe Root who stepped up on day four to make something of the 30 overs of action they managed to squeeze in between the rain, edging them that little bit closer to glory.

The occasional off-spinner has long been a much more dangerous proposition than a mere part-timer.

And he showed his -round value with the huge wicket of centurion Marnus Labuschagne just when it looked like the Aussies might see out the entire session without damage.

Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh had kept England at bay for 26 overs with wickettaking chances pretty thin on the ground.