An article in a British newspaper has claimed that the fact that England cricketers were celebrating after rain forced a draw in the Old Trafford Test, was a reason the Australian Ashes squad could be cheerful, after being humiliated at Lord's last month to trail 2-0 in the five-Test series.
According to the Mirror, Australia had lost the Ashes superbly and they were the better team by a distance in Manchester, and if the rain had not intervened, they might have won the Test.
The report said that the manner of holding on to the Ashes for England felt flat and sodden as Australia had spoiled their party.
Australia skipper Clarke admitted his team was disappointed to have seen the Ashes slip away again, but it was clear he had taken plenty of encouragement from events in Manchester, the report added.