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Manchester: England retained the Ashes by drawing the third Test as rain ended Australia's final-day victory push at Old Trafford.
The tourists were in a commanding position, having removed Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott and Kevin Pietersen to reduce England to 37-3 in pursuit of an unlikely target of 332.
But recurring showers prevented any resumption of a compelling contest after 14:03 BST, and the captains shook hands on a draw at 16:40.
The result gave England an unassailable 2-0 lead with two Tests to play in the five-match series and ensures they will keep hold of the urn, having triumphed in the past two series.
Cook's team need to draw only one of the remaining two Tests to win the series and underline their recent domination of one of sport's oldest contests.
Australia, who won eight consecutive Ashes series between 1989 and 2002-03, will hope to salvage a draw from the series before the return contest down under, starting in November.
Earlier, Australia declared on their overnight 172 for seven.
Heavy overnight and early morning rain saw the start of Monday's play delayed by at least 30 minutes to 11.30am local time (1030GMT), weather permitting.
Australia captain Clarke, who cut short his second innings on 30 not out after making a superb 187 in the first innings of this match, was furious when the umpires took the players off the field for bad light on Sunday before rain prevented any prospect of a resumption.
Although the floodlights were on, umpires Marais Erasmus and Tony Hill decided conditions were too dangerous for play to continue when England captain Alastair Cook refused to bowl spin from both ends.
Given a draw in this match would see England retain the Ashes, the main focus for the home side was on avoiding defeat.
Coming into this match, Australia had lost six successive Tests -- their worst run of results since 1984.
They last lost seven straight Tests between 1885-88, a run that included the only time Australia have been whitewashed in the Ashes -- a 3-0 defeat in England in 1886.
Brief scores
Australia 527/7d (Clarke 187, Smith 89, Rogers 84, Swann 5-159) and 172/7d (Warner 41)
England 368 (Pietersen 113, Siddle 4-63) and 37/3
Result Drawn
MOM Miachel Clarke (Australia)
