Michael Clarke's timely third Test century has helped boost Australia's first innings to 513 on day four of the second Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval.
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In the most important innings of his 24-Test career, Clarke strode stylishly to 124 while sharing productive partnerships of 98 with Adam Gilchrist (64) and 118 with Shane Warne (43) in Australia's ultimately convincing response to England's 6-551 declared.
By stumps, England was 1-59 off 19 overs in its second innings, an overall lead of 97, with Andrew Strauss on 31 and Ian Bell 18 after Stuart Clark had Alastair Cook caught behind for nine.
Barring a stunning England batting collapse, a draw is still the most favoured result given that only 17 wickets have fallen for 1123 runs in four days.
Australia lost its last four wickets for 11 and Matthew Hoggard finished with the magnificent figures of 7-109 off 42 overs - the best by an England bowler against Australia since Andy Caddick's 7-94 in Sydney in 2003.
Clarke, who scored 56 in the first Test, frustrated England's bowlers for more than five hours while facing 224 balls and hitting 10 fours before clipping Hoggard to Ashley Giles at short mid-wicket.
Gilchrist spanked eight boundaries in his commanding 79-ball 64 and had England's bowlers at his mercy until he swung left-arm spinner Giles straight to Bell at deep mid-wicket.
Enjoying the responsibility of having to craft a long innings, Warne played with admirable self-control to stay with Clarke for 157 minutes until he was lbw to Hoggard in the last over before tea.
Clarke scored 38 of Australia's 105 in the first session and 53 of 85 in between lunch and tea.
He was on 30 and Gilchrist 13 when Australia started the day at 5-312, still 239 in arrears and needing 40 to avert the follow-on. By lunch, Australia was 6-417 (Clarke 68, Warne 12) - 134 runs behind.
It had loomed as one of the most challenging days in Australia's recent cricket history, but this did not prevent Clarke and Gilchrist from employing their naturally aggressive styles as they reduced the deficit in surprisingly swift time.
When Clarke reached 100 (10 fours, 183 balls) with a cover-driven single off James Anderson, he kissed the coat-of-arms insignia on the front of his helmet and waved his bat to the Australian dressing room and sections of the standing, applauding crowd before hurrying back to the pitch where Warne greeted him with a bear-hug.
