Ashes player ratings: Two England stars struggle as Bairstow heroism goes unrewarded

Rain prevented play from starting on time on the final day of the Ashes' fourth Test cricket match between England and Australia on Sunday. The weather forecast is gloomy and the game may be washed out for the rest of the day.

Only 30 overs were possible on Saturday, with plenty more rain forecast for what could be a frustrating final day at Old Trafford.

Australia are more than happy to settle for a draw that would allow them to retain their 2-1 lead and the ballot box, meaning England will be forced to make the most of every possible playing window.

They were once frustrated by a 103-point stand between centurion Marnus Labuschagne and Mitch Marsh, but saw their chances increase when Joe Root took first behind.

There is little room for error after their 275-point first-set lead was reduced to 61 by the Tourists, who will retake it 214-5.

Express Sport reporter Gideon Brooks looks at how each England player performed in the fourth Test;

England standings

ZAK CRAWLEY - 9 »

BEN DUCKETT - 4 Knocked down by a new ball cracker from Mitchell Starc early in England's response one ball, again he could have gone.

MOEEN ALI – 7 Helped the team again at three and produced a disciplined half-century here, adding 121 with Crawley. A few more stray bullets.

JOE ROOT - 8 His fabulous 84 on 95 balls rather eclipsed by Crawley's numbers, but the 206-point partnership took Australia the game.

HARRY BROOK - 7 Drawn into a bad hook by Hazlewood but not before adding 61 to pile on the misery in the first innings

BEN STOKES – 6 Another contribution with a bat (51) before stumps splashed by Cummins. Hindsight suggests that an earlier statement might have been helpful.

JONNY BAIRSTOW – 9 Phenomenal catch to fire Mitch Marsh and another good one to knock Marnus Labuschagne out of Root. Dynamic display with bat.

CHRIS WOAKES – 8 Brilliant 5-62 his fifth Test 5-for but first pitched with bat and finished with stiff legs. A doubt for Oval.

MARK WOOD - 7 Took Steve Smith's main scalp but down slightly on speeds at Leeds and denied a crack in poor light late on Saturday.

STUART BROAD - 6 Another whose impact has diminished from the start of the series although he took out Usman Khawaja and Travis Head with good deliveries to reach 600 wickets

JAMES ANDERSON - 5 Australian captain hung on at the start of day two, brave with the pit bat with Bairstow but limited impact despite being England's most economical bowler.