'WEATHER WILL MAKE US PUSH HARD FOR WIN'

SKIPPER STOKES’ RALLYING CRY AHEAD OF VITAL TEST

- Malik Ouzia

ENGLAND were this morning beginning their quest to level the Ashes here in Manchester, with captain Ben Stokes promising his side are ready to accelerate the game in a bid to stop bad weather ripping away the Urn.

Having gone 2-0 down following defeats at Edgbaston and Lord's, England halved the deficit with victory at Headingley this month and, after a nine-day pause between matches, are now chasing the victory here that would tee-up a series decider at the Kia Oval next week.

Play was beginning on time today, but substantial amounts of rain are forecast for across the course of the Test match, with the forecast for days four and five looking particularly bleak. England, however, have to force a result to keep their hopes of regaining the Urn alive, with a draw enough to see Australia hold onto the Ashes.