Justin Langer defended Australia's decision to come off for bad light in the fifth Ashes Test they must win at The Oval.

With Australia 2-1 down and under threat of handing over the urn after eight series and 16 years of success, openers Langer and Matthew Hayden opted to accept the offer made to them by umpires Rudi Koertzen and Billy Bowden as the players returned to the middle after tea.

England's players were surprised by that move after conceding the largest first-wicket stand of the series - and rain an hour later prevented any further action with Australia 112 without loss in response to 373.

Although half an hour's play can be added to subsequent days to make up the time, with further wet weather forecast some may view the policy captain Ricky Ponting and deputy Adam Gilchrist plumped for during a tea-time discussion as negative.

But Langer said: "I asked Ricky and 'Gilly' what their thoughts were and they thought it was the same as any other Test match.

"When we walked out anyone could see it was very dark, Freddie Flintoff was reverse swinging the ball and we felt it was best to play him in the best conditions possible.

"Of course we thought we could get back on. We would have loved to have kept batting but when we weighed up the options, if we had lost a wicket, the new batsman would have to face the reverse-swinging ball in dark conditions.

"Unfortunately we have no control over rain or light, only one person in the world does and he is not sat in our room.

"At this stage all we have lost is half an hour or an hour of play and the way the series has gone most games have been settled in four days."

Although England's tail wagged to add 54 for the final three wickets, held together by Ashley Giles, who was last out for 32, the initiative was retained by Australia as they negotiated the entire middle session.

The unbroken century stand left England struggling for the first time since losing the opening match at Lord's, and Giles expected Australia to bat on into the post-tea session.

"We were a little bit surprised with the decision but you can understand it because if we had got two or three quick wickets they would have been on the back foot," he said.

"I don't think they would have been too scared of facing me in bad light, Freddie bowling at 90-miles-per-hour-plus when it is dark is a bit of a handful.

"Of course I hope they live to regret it but there are three days left and that is a lot of time.

"Ricky Ponting cannot and we cannot afford to cloud-watch: it is important we stay focused on the game rather than watching out for weather forecasts.

"If your mind is off the game this side we are playing can be very dangerous."

Hayden's laborious approach signalled something of a shift in emphasis for a man who is playing for his international future, allowing Langer to dominate with an unbeaten 75.

Until now in this series, neither had laid the platforms Australia have been used to during their decade of dominance.

But it is Hayden - without a Test half-century this summer - who has been pressurised for his place.

"It's an absolute fact that's the first time Matthew Hayden and I have got off to a good start in the series," admitted Langer.

"That is something that's been a crucial component of the success of the team over the last few years.

"It is nice to be none for 100-odd and have shared in a good partnership with my big mate.

"It is no secret that 'Haydos' has been under the pump - he is not Bradmanesque like he has been for four years, he has shown that he is human.

"He had a few nerves but he worked really hard to get into the 30s."