Michael Clarke scored his first test century in England yesterday as Australia fought a dogged battle to save the second Ashes test at Lord's.

At the close of the fourth day Australia, set 522 to win, were 313 for five with Clarke on 125 and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin on 80.

Clarke, who made 91 in the 2005 Lord's test, raced to 50 from 58 balls with fluent driving and delightful footwork. His second half-century was appreciably slower but perfectly suited to the circumstances.

Haddin was equally positive, hitting 10 boundaries from 126 balls, and when the players left the field for bad light the pair had added 185 for the sixth wicket.

The highest winning total in test history is West Indies' 418 for seven against Australia in St John's, Antigua, six years ago. England have not won an Ashes test at Lord's since 1934.

England looked like wrapping the game up with more than a day to spare after Australia staggered to 128 for five with off-spinner Graeme Swann getting the ball to grip and turn.

Clarke and Haddin, though, used their feet to negate Swann, ran swiftly between the wickets and encountered no terrors in the Lord's pitch which tends to get better for batting.

They still need an improbable 209 with five wickets in hand to win but the rain, which held off yesterday, may return today and an enthralling match could take yet another twist.