This is the 12th part in a series recounting the 2005 Ashes, as it occurred a decade ago.

For the second time in the series, rain has affected the start of a day’s play. It resumes at 4 PM, with 38 overs scheduled. Australia need 30 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Evening

Warne & Gillespie, the two batsmen, seem more interested in playing dot balls than shots to start, although Warne gets to a half-century. He takes Giles for four but is very nearly stumped next ball, but Geraint Jones is unable to hold onto the ball. In the eighth over of the day, Warne gets 12 runs off Giles, as Australia avoid the follow-on. However, the rain returns, prompting another delay. Umpires Billy Bowden & Steve Bucknor decide that there will only six overs remaining when play resumes at 6:10 PM local.

Warne gets one more boundary off the remaining overs in the only action of note. When all is said and done for the day, there were 14 overs of play. Australia have managed 50 runs without losing a wicket, meaning they’ve avoided the follow-on. For England, it has the feeling of an opportunity lost, but the match is still up for grabs.

After Day 3, Australia are 264/7 in the first innings. England lead by 180 runs.