The Ashes returns to Manchester this week as England take on Australia in the fourth test match of this year's enthralling series.

Ben Stokes' men claimed a three-wicket win at Headingley last Sunday after slipping to defeats in the first and second tests at Edgbaston and Lords respectively.

However, they must win again in the fourth test which starts at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday to keep their hopes of winning back the famous urn alive.

Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features

Bumper crowds are expected for each day of the five-day game, the first Ashes test at Lancashire's home since the last home series in 2019.

All three tests have seen play delayed due to rain in what has been erratic and changeable conditions so far this summer.

There is the possibility of showers on all five days

Play is scheduled to start at 11am each day, finishing at 6, though this can be extended if there alloted overs yet to be bowled.

And the bad news for cricket fans in the city is that there is again at least the possibility of some disruption.

Forecasts show there is the possibility of some showers on all five days, albeit the possibility is low at the moment. The highest probability of showers being the afternoon of Sunday, the scheduled fifth day.

Fans will be hoping these do not materialise, that any rain delays are brief and that the time can be made up, as has been the case in the previous matches.

Bumper crowds are expected each day

If you are attending the match, to ensure you know what to expect, here is the hour-by-hour forecast for each day of the test

Wednesday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 41 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 19 degrees, 40 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 42 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 41 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 33 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 27 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 14 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 12 percent chance of rain

7pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 10 percent chance of rain

Thursday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 29 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 29 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 28 percent chance of rain

2pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain

3pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain

4pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 20 percent chance of rain

5pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 15 percent chance of rain

6pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 16 percent chance of rain

7pm: Sunny intervals and a gentle breeze, 17 degrees, 16 percent chance of rain

Friday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 45 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 43 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 41 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 35 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 33 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 31 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 24 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 17 degrees, 23 percent chance of rain

7pm: Sunny intervals and light winds, 17 degrees, 22 percent chance of rain

Saturday

11am: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 39 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain showers and light winds, 17 degrees, 40 percent chance of rain

1pm:Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 44 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 48 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 48 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 34 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 34 percent chance of rain

7pm: Drizzle and a gentle breeze, 17 degrees, 34 percent chance of rain

Sunday

11am: Light rain and light winds, 17 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

Midday: Light rain and light winds, 18 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

1pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 49 percent chance of rain

2pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 70 percent chance of rain

3pm: Light rain and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 66 percent chance of rain

4pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 19 degrees, 59 percent chance of rain

5pm: Light rain showers and a gentle breeze, 18 degrees, 59 percent chance of rain

6pm: Light rain and light winds, 18 degrees, 66 percent chance of rain

7pm: Light rain showers and light winds, 18 degrees, 61 percent chance of rain