MANCHESTER, Aug 13: Shane Warne helped save the follow-on as Australia reached 245 for seven on a rain-hit third day of the third Test on Saturday before the players were forced off the field again.
Warne, resuming on 45, took his score to 67, his best against England, before the rain returned after just eight overs’ play.
Jason Gillespie was seven not out at the other end. England made 444 in their first innings.
Most of the morning and afternoon session were washed out, forcing the players to take an early lunch, then an early tea.
Warne has made 11 Test half-centuries but never reached three figures.
Australia’s score on the resumption was increased from 210 to 214 for seven after it was realised one ball which went for four byes had not been correctly signalled on Friday.
SCOREBOARD
ENGLAND (1st Innings) 444 (M Vaughan 166, M Trescothick 63, I Bell 59; S Warne 4-99, B Lee 4-100).
AUSTRALIA (1st Innings, overnight 214-7):
J.L. Langer c Bell b Giles 31
M.L. Hayden lbw b Giles 34
R.T. Ponting c Bell b S. Jones 7
D.R. Martyn b Giles 20
S.M. Katich b Flintoff 17
A.C. Gilchrist c G. Jones b S. Jones 30
S.K. Warne not out 67
M.J. Clarke c Flintoff b S. Jones 7
J.N. Gillespie not out 7
EXTRAS (B-4, LB-5, W-7, NB-9) 25
TOTAL (for seven wkts, 64 overs) 245
FALL OF WKTS: 1-58, 2-73, 3-86, 4-119, 5-133, 6-186, 7-201.