As the series heads to Old Trafford for its fourth instalment there are a number of key talking points in this hugely decisive Test for the hosts, who simply must win to keep their chances alive. With fears over whether we will see play stopped by typically tempestuous conditions in the north, we are looking at the latest Ashes weather reports to see how quickly England need to race to victory.
Ashes Weather Watch
Aside from the odd deluge, this year’s Ashes series has so far been allowed to go ahead without too may hiccups.
Much of the build up to this pivotal fourth Test has focused on Britain’s capricious weather, and forecasts for later this week all pointing towards wet conditions.
England’s hopes of snatching the Urn away from Australia rest on winning at Old Trafford this week, and subsequently finding victory at the Oval at the end of July.
Unfavourable conditions may end up playing into Australia’s hands given they need either a draw or win to retain the Ashes.
Ben Stokes is no stranger to taking a gamble – his early declaration in the first Test at Edgbaston springs to mind – and he may be forced into doing so once more to generate a result before the rain sweeps in.
Speaking to the press ahead of the fourth Test, he said: “It might bring more out of us again knowing we might have to push the game on more than we normally do. We’ll have to wait and see.
“If the weather is what it is predicted to be, we might have to.”
Ashes Tips: Fourth Test Preview, Predictions and Best Bets For England vs Australia at Old Trafford
Taking a look at the weather reports on both the BBC and the Met Office suggests we could see a full three days’ play without interruption before the weekend.
However, Saturday’s forecasts fail to dip below a 50% chance of precipitation, and light rain in the morning is expected to turn heavier by lunch time.
As for Sunday, both sides could be chasing a result in a frantic final day finish, and light rain is forecast throughout.
Of course, looking that far in advance is not always a clear indicator of what to expect, particularly given the unseasonably unsettled wind speeds that have created very localised spots of rain and dry spells.
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