"Rarely could the Ashes have been secured in more hollow circumstances, with almost two days of rain saving Australia from what appeared certain defeat," wrote Malcolm Conn in the Sydney Morning Herald. "Despite being robbed of victory by the weather, England have only themselves to blame for being on the wrong side of history," Conn added. "England were in charge of the first test at Edgbaston before the cult of Bazball resulted in an over-optimistic declaration and reckless batting." Gideon Haigh, writing in the Australian, was kinder to the English but equally wary of any sort of celebrations over the retention of the Ashes. Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Jamie FreedOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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Persons: John Sibley SYDNEY, Malcolm Conn, Conn, Gideon Haigh, Haigh, Nick Mulvenney, Jamie Freed Organizations: England, Old, Old Trafford Cricket, Australia, Manchester, Sydney Morning Herald, Edgbaston, Thomson Locations: Australia, Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, England, Edgbaston