Cricket: Australia lose Ashes but not hope

England have landed a bitter blow by retaining the Ashes at Old Trafford, but the silver lining for Australia is that only 107 days remain until it's on again.

Australia have no choice but to draw a line through this Ashes series as a failure.

It's the first time since 1956 England have secured cricket's grand prize for a third-successive time.

And it's the earliest Australia have been out of an Ashes series since 1929.

But Michael Clarke's side can at least take encouragement from the unusual situation that sees the Ashes go on the line again from November 21.

In the rain-affected draw at Manchester, Australia proved they're capable of turning the tables for England's return visit in the summer.

Three times this series, they've had England's batting order three down for less than 30 and another time for 64.

They've also handled star quick James Anderson well since Trent Bridge and Australia's fast bowling depth appears stronger.

Australia's batting remains the worry, with Clarke the only centurion of the series.

The skipper claims Australia can still earn themselves a moral victory by drawing the series, much the same as Ian Chappell's side did in England in 1972 - the last time there was a drawn Ashes series.

If Australia can win at Durham, starting on Friday, and then the fifth Test at The Oval, Clarke believes his young side will grow in self-belief for a fresh assault in the summer.

"That's most definitely our goal. I think if we can level the series we will take a lot of confidence back to Australia and I am confident that with the type of cricket we played throughout the four days here we will give it a good chase," Clarke said.

"We have some work to do the next couple of days to make sure we are as well prepared as we were coming into this Test match.

"If we play with the same attitude and the same commitment, I am confident we can have success."

On the surface, it was cruel that one day of rain robbed Australia of turning a dominant performance into a famous victory that would have kept the series alive.

But in reality it was a harsh but important lesson that there's got to be a price to pay for a performance as inept as their one at Lord's.

Australia could blame no one but themselves for falling 2-0 behind in the series.

Clarke says the pain from Lord's still lingers as the lowest point of his career.

Australia need to ensure it's a turning point.

"The way we batted in the first innings at Lord's hurt me as much as anything in my career, certainly as captain," he said.

"We got bowled out for 47 against South Africa, but at least that wicket was seaming and swinging around. I thought the Lord's wicket was a fantastic batting wicket.

"There is no doubt that my goal was to come here and win the Ashes and that hasn't happened so I can guarantee everyone in that changing room is hurting."

Manchester teased Australia with a session of clear skies in the morning, but a ground that has featured more draws than any other English venue, Old Trafford eventually returned to form and just three balls were managed after lunch.

In a thrilling opening, Ryan Harris (2-13) and Peter Siddle (1-6) exploded out of the blocks to leave England reeling at 3-37 when play was stopped - and three and a half hours later - abandoned.

Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen were back in the shed and Australia were left to wonder what might have been.

-AAP