Justin Langer believes Australia have finally found an England weakness which could yet scupper home hopes of a first Ashes series victory for 18 years.

Langer, who shared Australia's first century opening stand of the summer as the tourists closed a truncated second day of the series decider at The Oval with 112 for none on the board in reply to England's disappointing 373, hopes the lack of a fourth frontline seamer in the home ranks could cost Michael Vaughan's team dear.

He speaks from the bitter experience of a long summer for the tourists which has often seen their bowling resources alarmingly stretched - but with Simon Jones injured and England choosing batting all-rounder Paul Collingwood to replace him, this time the opportunity is there for the Aussies.

"Now they only have four bowlers, we have a chance to do to them what they have done to us throughout the series," said Langer, who had to make a marginal decision with Hayden yesterday to come off for bad light and lose a precious 37 overs of batting time in a match Australia must win.

"If we can do that then all of a sudden Michael Vaughan is under the pump," reasoned the left-hander, who finished last night with an unbeaten 75.

"There is plenty of time for a result in this Test match. The wicket is very dry, and in my opinion it will spin a lot on the last two days."

Langer confirmed Australia were delighted to have bowled England out for so manageable a total in ideal batting conditions - contradicting the hosts' Ashley Giles, who was happy enough with his team's first-innings return.

"To bowl England out for 370 on that wicket - which is a magnificent one - is a great credit to our bowlers, and especially Shane Warne," said the Western Australian.

Giles sees things differently.

"I think 373 was a very decent score in the end. I thought Shane Warne bowled out of his skin but we still got a good total on the board," he said.

Giles and Langer were agreed, however, that Australia's decision to come off for bad light straight after tea was a difficult one.

"We were a little surprised that Australia took the light - but I suppose you can understand it too. I don't know what we would have done in the same situation," admitted Giles.

Langer noted: "It was very dark, and (Andrew) Flintoff was reverse-swinging it just before tea.

"It is frustrating that the bad light hung around for the whole session."

For Langer and Australia, the consolation was belated success for his once formidable opening partnership with Hayden.

"I think this stand is a confidence boost for our team-mates, because our partnership has been such a big part of Australia's success over the past four years," he said.

"We hope the first 100 opening stand of the series has come at the right time."

Hayden's return to form has taken a while, Langer reporting it is the result of much hard work.

"He has not been Bradman-esque - as he had been for so long before," he said.

"He has shown this summer he is human. But he has worked really hard to help his partner post a hundred stand, and I thought he played really well today.

"Sometimes I am flying; most times he is, and I am blocking the life out of it. That is how a good partnership works, and that is what makes it difficult for opposition bowlers to bowl to us - because we can adapt our games."