Rain unlikely to save England from Ashes defeat, says Michael Atherton
Sunday 17 December 2017 15:10, UK
England players and supporters alike may be doing a rain dance this evening - but Michael Atherton does not expect that to save Joe Root's side in the Ashes.
The former England skipper believes the variety in Australia's bowling attack and a crack in the pitch that Josh Hazlewood should be able to exploit will see the hosts pick up the six wickets they require to regain the urn, even if there is some wet weather on the final day in Perth.
England closed day four on 132-4, still 127 runs away from making Australia bat again, and on the brink of shipping the urn back to the Baggy Greens.
"Someone is going to have to play a rearguard action - but not just a rearguard action, you want to be scoring as well given the deficit," said Atherton.
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