As expected, England has retained the Ashes. The manner of the victory was muted, though, as the Old Trafford game petered out into a rain and light-affected draw.

England captain Alastair Cook will know that atmospheric conditions, rather than good cricket, extended his team's tenure with the terracotta urn.

The Australians bossed every session of a game they had to win to keep the series alive. They failed, but will take more from this performance than their host.