Openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden scored centuries in the deciding fifth Ashes test but Australia's hopes of ramming home their advantage were hit by the weather yesterday.

The world champions, replying to England's first innings of 373 and needing to win at The Oval to level the series at 2-2 and retain the Ashes, took their score from 112 without loss to 277 for two, still 96 behind.

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