Opener Matthew Hayden saved his career and powered Australia to a position where it can retain the Ashes on day three in the deciding Test at The Oval.

Hayden's 110 not out was his first century in 31 innings and motored his side to 2-277 at stumps to keep cricket's most absorbing series on tenterhooks.

Provided the rain stays away, Australia would be a slight favourite to win the match.

Hayden's partner Justin Langer (105) also scored a century, and their opening stand of 185 gave Australia the chance of overhauling England's first innings total of 373 early on Sunday.

Australia still trailed by 96 runs when bad light stopped play.

The weather looms as almost as big a hurdle as England for Australia, which will sweat on forecast showers staying away on day four so it can bat for most of the day and establish a match-winning lead.

Australia, which needs to win the Test to retain the urn, will back leg spinner Shane Warne to weave his magic in England's second innings after he took six wickets in the first dig.

Hayden started this innings without a Test century in 14 months and with his future in doubt given he had not passed 36 this series.

The Queenslander scratched and poked his way through the first session but showed more and more signs of the Hayden of old once he passed 50.

He was the silent partner for most of his opening stand with Langer, but dominated a 79-run stand with partnership with Ricky Ponting, who made 35 until he was caught in the gully from a brute of a ball from Andrew Flintoff.

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