Test century-maker might be the one title that eludes Australia's Shane Warne at the end of his remarkable career.

Test cricket's leading wicket-taker, who claimed scalp No.600 on day one of the third Test at Old Trafford, had his dream of a maiden century dashed - again - when he was out for 90, half an hour into the fourth day.

With a century in his sights, Warne was caught at deep square leg off the bowling of Simon Jones in a dismissal that reprised his heartache from four years ago, when he holed out against New Zealand and was caught for 99.

Knowing he won't get too many more chances at reaching three figures for his country, Warne, 35, looked to the sky in disbelief at hitting Jones' bouncer straight to Ashley Giles, and walked off the ground shaking his head.

But his innings helped Australia reach 302, having been 5-129 on day two, as he and Jason Gillespie (26) added 86 for the eighth wicket.

That partnership ensured Australia passed the follow-on target on day three and helped deny England's push for a victory and a 2-1 Ashes series lead.

England was 0-26 in its second innings at lunch, holding a 168-run lead with five sessions in the match to play.

Australia's shoddy fielding continued into England's second innings, as Warne and Ricky Ponting let through an edge from Andrew Strauss while fielding in the slips.

Brett Lee enticed the perfect nick off Strauss, who was on one at the time, but both Warne (first slip) and Ponting (second) left the chance for the other, and the edge bisected the pair and raced to the boundary.

Strauss, who had earlier suffered a cut ear when a Lee delivery flicked the side of his helmet, survived to reach 11 by lunch.

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