Barely 14 days into the Ashes series with England, rain washed away whatever hope was left for Australia to take home the Ashes Urn.

With Australia up by 331 runs as play was suspended on Sunday, the match resumed at 11:30 AM. Earlier, Australia captain Michael Clarke had declared that England needed 332 runs to win the Test match at Manchester. England ended up 3-37 for the day.

While England wicketkeeper Matt Prior had expressed skepticism at the weather forecasts for Monday, the heavy downpour proved to be their biggest ally in the quest to keep the Ashes for a third straight time. The suspension of play meant that England had drawn level with Australia and is leading two matches to none, with two matches to go.

No Way but up for Australia

For Internet commentators, though, the draw proved that Australia was on the road to recovery after dropping its first two matches.

"Australia played well enough to wipe away the prospect of a record-equalling seventh successive defeat," wrote Malcolm Conn in the Daily Telegraph, as quoted in the New York Times. The record for futility was set from 1885 to 1888.

While weather conditions were far from optimal during the match in Old Trafford, Malcolm Knox of Fairfax Media is looking forward to November, when the return leg starts in Brisbane.

"Australia looked to be the young, vibrant, rising side, the new order... One thing is certain about the series in Australia, the pitches will be different," Knox told NDTV.

Hopes High for Australian Social Media Users

Australian netizens also took to social media, but instead of expressing disappointment with the draw, most saw a glimmer of hope in the final result.

One of the most shared articles on Twitter - one published by The Guardian that enumerated the high point of Australia's Ashes campaign - has given fans a reason to look forward to November, no matter what happens in the remaining matches for the England leg of the Ashes this year.

"He [Michael Clarke] should be celebrated for his sublime batting and stamina in the face of overwhelming physical odds," says the article about the Aussie captain.

The Livevckt: True Lovers of Cricket Facebook Fan Page was also upbeat about November.

"Australia might have lost the Ashes to England but the nation's media saw enough at Old Trafford to believe the tables can be turned when the rivalry heads Down Under later this year," says the fan page, which has almost a thousand likes.

The two rivals will continue the England leg of the series on Friday, Aug. 9, in Chester le Street, with the last match of the series starting on Aug. 21 in London.