Two hundreds from Australia's openers maintained their chances of retaining the Ashes despite bad weather conspiring against them.

Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden shared by far their highest first-wicket stand of the series to defy England for four hours on the third day of the final Test.

That came to a conclusion when Langer chopped a Steve Harmison delivery into off-stump via his thigh moments after bringing up a 22nd Test hundred.

Hayden ploughed on, however, to register an unbeaten 110, his first century for 17 Tests, having not even got to 50 previously in the campaign.

Two booming drives down the ground off Andrew Flintoff were reminiscent of the Hayden of old and fittingly brought up his landmark from 218 balls.

Four rain interruptions at The Oval disrupted the progress - only 45.4 overs were possible in the day - and the tourists took the offer of the light for the second day in succession shortly after Flintoff took his total of wickets in the series to 20 by having Ricky Ponting caught at gully.

Australia, replying to England's 373, closed on 277 for two and may also have considered themselves fortunate that Langer was not given out leg before from the first delivery of the day, sent down by Matthew Hoggard.

Ponting also survived a confident bat-pad chance and Damien Martyn escaped when the ball ran off the face of his bat to wicketkeeper Geraint Jones from an attempted guide over the slips.