England star Mark Wood was prevented from bowling on the essential fourth day of the fourth Ashes Test. Wood and his pace-bowling colleagues had been pressured to observe on because the umpires declared it was too darkish at Old Trafford.

England headed into the day's play needing six wickets to stage the collection up at 2-2. The climate forecast in Manchester was anticipated to see the whole day washed out.

However, the rain stopped at round 1pm and the groundstaff received the outfield prepared for play to start out at 2.45pm. England's tempo quartet of Wood, Jimmy Anderson, Chris Woakes and Stuart Broad all received via a spell of some overs every.

It proved fruitless as Marnus Labuschagne went on to attain a century in a high quality partnership with Mitch Marsh. Ben Stokes wished to deliver Wood again on for an additional spell however he was advised by the umpires that may not be potential.

The floodlights had been already on however the on-field officers deemed it too darkish for Wood to bowl. Wood is by far the quickest bowler England have and the Sky Sports commentators questioned whether or not solely he can be prevented from bowling.

However, it rapidly grew to become clear that Anderson, Woakes and Broad had been additionally not permitted to bowl. Stokes had no different possibility however to show to the spin duo of Moeen Ali and Joe Root.

But the choice from the umpires didn't go down effectively on social media. @Bangus86 instantly replied: "Farce."

England supporters continued to fume on Twitter. @JustDxm wrote: "Why can’t we bowl Mark Wood??? This is a joke."

While @MrCrick52128045 put: "Absolute joke of a decision. Also took the umpires 15 minutes to get the light meter out."

@RoryRacingCar20 wasn't a fan of Ali and Root's bowling, writing: "S***e cricket this. If the sunshine is dangerous take ‘em off, just boring the pants off of everyone this. We want to see mark wood rockets not this s***e."

@SteveParker1971 decided to have a pop at umpire Joel Wilson's attire. He wrote: "We’ve received an umpire with sun shades on deciding it's too darkish for Mark Wood to bowl."

@Ben_Wisden shared a joke on the vacationers' behalf, posting: "Australia haven’t been able to see Mark Wood’s bowling all series but now it matters?"

While @robertssamuel claimed it was no darker than when play commenced at 2.45pm. He stated: "This is ridiculous. Light meters being brought on. Mark Wood not allowed to bowl. It’s no darker than it was in the first over of the day. #BBCCricket"

England had been in a position to strike, with Root claiming the wicket of Labuschagne caught behind. However, rain once more intervened after tea with Australia 214-5, trailing by 61 runs.