What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Australia retained the Ashes after rain forced the fourth Test at Old Trafford to end in a draw, prompting Piers Morgan to argue that England had been robbed of a chance to win. His complaint drew extra attention because people recalled a rain-celebrating Ashes tweet he had posted in 2013.
Why Australia retained the Ashes at Old Trafford
The fourth Test of the 2023 Men’s Ashes was played at Old Trafford from July 19 to 23. Rain prevented play on the final day, leaving the match drawn. Australia had won two Tests and England one, so Australia retained the Ashes with a 2-1 series lead and one Test still to play. England could still draw the series, but could not reclaim the urn in that series. Cricket Australia’s match report and official scorecard record the result and series position.
England made 592 in its first innings; Australia replied with 317. In its second innings, Australia was 5-214 when rain ended the match, still 61 runs short of making England bat again. The washout therefore ended England’s opportunity to pursue a win at Old Trafford, while the drawn result was enough for Australia to keep the Ashes.
What Piers Morgan said about the result
PerthNow reported on July 24, 2023, that Morgan called Australia’s retention an “absolute farce” and said England had been “robbed.” The outlet reproduced this tweet from the British broadcaster and former newspaper editor: “FFS. Has there ever been a less-deserved retention of the Ashes? From the Bairstow debacle to this rain-soaked fiasco, it’s an absolute farce that smirking Australia have ended up with the urn still in their hands. England comfortably the better side as this Test showed. Gutting,” PerthNow reported.
#1 Best Overall
That was Morgan’s assessment, not the match result: the Test was drawn and Australia retained the urn under the series position. He had also called it the “greatest travesty in the history of Ashes cricket” if rain allowed Australia to retain the trophy, and referred to the Australians as “spirit-abusing Aussies,” according to PerthNow.
Why people brought up Morgan’s 2013 rain tweet
The irony highlighted by social-media users was that Morgan had previously welcomed Ashes rain. PerthNow recalled his 2013 tweet: “BOOM #Rain #Ashes.” In 2023, he was angry that rain curtailed England’s chance to win; in the earlier post, he celebrated a rain delay that benefited England. The two episodes were not necessarily identical in their match circumstances, but the contrast became a central part of the reaction to his complaint.
Rank #2
Andy Lee’s reply
PerthNow also reported that Morgan said he would have felt embarrassed in Australia captain Pat Cummins’ shoes. Australian comedian Andy Lee replied: “I don’t think you have the ability to feel embarrassment given the history of things you’ve said,” the outlet quoted him as saying.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
