The Ashes 2023: Australia captain Pat Cummins says keeping ballot box with draw is 'strange'

The Tourists were outplayed throughout at Old Trafford but earned a draw after the end of the final day on Sunday.

As holders Australia lead 2-1 with only one test to play means they'll keep the Ashes to a minimum.

"It's really nice to keep but obviously not in the circumstances we would have liked," Cummins said.

Speaking to BBC Sport, the 30-year-old fast bowler added: "It's a bit weird. The rain may have helped us but it was a great result." p>

After Australia were knocked out for 317, England bombed the tourist bowling alley for 592, causing particular carnage on the second afternoon.

Wet weather allowed just 30 overs to be played in the last two days, allowing Australia to escape on 214-5.

"It's a little weird," Cummins said. "As a group, we're proud to have held on to the Ashes, but this hasn't been our best week." 2dfkj 50vkee.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-14">Australia, who have held the Ashes since 2017-18, drew 2-2 on their last visit to the UK in 2019.

Cummins has repeatedly stated that the goal was to win that series, ending a winless run in this country that dates back to 2001. 1.$paragraph-17">"It's good that we held back but we know we have a lot of work to do for next week," said Cummins, who won the Ashes as home captain in 2021-22. .

"In some ways, whatever happens, it wouldn't really change how we view next week - we want to win."

Australia also kept the Ashes at Old Trafford in 2019, on that occasion winning the fourth Test to go 2-1 with one to play.

After celebrating in Manchester they missed the chance to win the series at The Oval and Cummins said his side would look to avoid that mistake this time around.

"There will be no big celebrations," he said. "There can be a little pat on the back to keep because there has been a lot of work in this situation where a draw forces us to keep."