Shane Warne took full advantage of English blunders to score 78 not out and help save the follow-on as Australia reached 264 for seven on a rain-hit third day of the third Ashes Test in Manchester, on Saturday.
Only 14 overs were possible in two separate passages of play during which England were unable to remove either Warne or Jason Gillespie (seven not out). The pair took their partnership to 63 runs during a frustrating day at Old Trafford.
England made 444 in their first innings. The five-match series stands at 1-1.
While Warne enjoyed himself, having hit a six and 10 fours, England wicketkeeper Geraint Jones made two shocking errors to give him two extra lives.
Most of the first two sessions were washed out by rain before Australia resumed on 214 for seven, needing 31 more to avoid being asked to bat again.
England opened with Ashley Giles and Warne opted for attack, hitting a rash of boundaries off the left-arm spinner before the rain returned after just eight overs' play.
Warne reached his 70-ball 50 with a lofted single off Giles, then smashed a straight four just past Giles's fingertips. Next ball, on 55, he advanced and slogged only for Jones to miss a clear stumping chance as the ball spun out of the rough and past the bat.
There was time for another Warne cross-bat to the mid-wicket fence and straight down the ground, against England's left-arm spinner before the rain returned.
The players got back on pitch for just six more overs and the day ended in bright sunshine.
Warne, on 67 after the first break, had added one more when he edged Andrew Flintoff behind. The catch flew at a perfect height straight to Jones who inexplicably grassed it.
Warne, who made 42 in his second innings of the second Test, has made 11 Test half-centuries but never reached three figures. He made 99 against New Zealand in Perth in 2001.
The world champions have not been forced to follow on in a Test since 1988.
Australia's score on the resumption was increased by four runs after it was realised one ball which went for four byes had not been correctly signalled on Friday.
More from rediff