Michael Clarke made an undefeated century and Marcus North gave him solid support with 96 on the final day of the third Ashes Test, ensuring that Australia would go into Friday’s fourth Test only 1-0 down in the series.

The game was called off as soon as Clarke reached his hundred, with the Australian total at 375 for five. There were 14 overs left at this stage.

Clarke and North shared a 185-run stand for the fifth wicket, which ended when James Anderson brought off a spectacular one-handed catch to get rid of North.

The left-hander provided solid support to his vice-captain; Clarke had his share of luck, being dropped by England skipper Andrew Strauss on 38.

Clarke also had his off-stump hit by a delivery from Stuart Broad when he was in the 90s but the bails stayed put. Clarke was also caught off a no-ball when he was on 96.

Earlier, Australia had reached 4-293 by tea, a lead of 180 runs with 33 overs remaining, with Clarke (73no) and North (64no) having provided stern resistance.

The last time Australia batted all day to save a Test was at Old Trafford in 2005.

The expected draw would leave England holding a 1-0 lead with two matches to be played Headingley and at The Oval.

Australia had only made more than 270 once in their past three innings before Monday and the batsmen were under plenty of pressure.

Mike Hussey (64) and Shane Watson (53) made a positive start after resuming at the precarious position of 2-88 and still 25 runs behind.

Locals responded to the home side’s strong position with all the remaining tickets quickly snapped up this morning.

To their delight, farewelling allrounder Andrew Flintoff was thrown the ball and set about dislodging the batsmen in one way or another.

The quick hit Watson in the groin and stomach region but his most fearsome ball was a short delivery that struck just below the batsman’s left elbow with a big, red bruise quickly surfacing. (The Age)

Flintoff took immense delight in reminding Watson of how uncomfortable he looked against that short-pitched delivery and the batsman held up the bowler just as he started running in for his next delivery.

The right-hander survived that spell only to come undone after drinks trying to drive first innings destroyer James Anderson and being caught behind.

After playing so well in his three-hour knock, Watson was bitterly disappointed to leave his teammates with plenty to do at three down and only 24 runs ahead.

Clarke made an edgy start with his first ball coming off the middle of the bat as he tried to leave an Anderson delivery but fortunately for him it went safely to the vacant third man boundary.

Hussey and Clarke then looked to be settling into a useful partnership before the left-hander pushed at a ball from quick Stuart Broad and feathered a catch behind.

It was a composed knock from the No.4 batsman and his innings ensured Australia had erased the deficit without too much difficulty.

Flintoff sent a scare through the England camp after falling heavily after delivering a ball to North in the middle session.

The big allrounder took his time to get to his feet before smiling as he hobbled off on his troublesome knee.

Clarke enjoyed a life on 38 after pulling a ball straight to Andrew Strauss at midwicket off part-timer Ravi Bopara with the skipper unable to grasp the hot chance.

S. Watson c Prior b Anderson 53

S. Katich c Prior b Onions 26

R. Ponting b Swann 5

M. Hussey c Prior b Broad 64

M. Clarke not out 103

M. North c Anderson b Broad 96

G. Manou not out 13

Extras: (b 4, lb 6, w 2, nb 3) 15

Did not bat: M. Johnson, B. Hilfenhaus, P. Siddle and N. Hauritz.

Fall of wickets: 1-47, 2-52, 3-137, 4-161, 5-346.

Bowling: Anderson 21-8-47-1 (1nb), Flintoff 15-0-35-0, Onions 19-3-74-1 (1w), Swann 31-4-119-1, Broad 16-2-38-2 (1w), Bopara 8.2-1-44-0 (2nb), Collingwood 2-0-8-0.

Toss: Australia, who chose to bat

Series: England lead the 5-match series 1-0

Test debut: G. Manou (Aus)

Player of the Match: M. Clarke (Aus)

Umpires: A. Dar (Pak), R. Koertzen (SA)

TV umpire: R. Kettleborough

Match referee J. Crowe (NZ)