Australia is poised to extend its lead over England beyond 250 on day three of the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.

The home side will resume on 7-372, already holding a 213-run lead over the tourists after dominating the first two days of play.

Andrew Symonds has the chance to build on his maiden Test century, having made 154 not out on day two.

Symonds and fellow Queenslander Matthew Hayden added 279 runs for the sixth wicket to turn the match Australia's way after the home side was in trouble at 5-84.

Hayden made 153 - his fifth century in the past six Boxing Day Tests.

Australia is on track to post a fourth Test win this series, and England will need to produce its best performance of the summer if it is to salvage anything from the game.

The tourists need quick wickets to finish off the Australian innings, and then must bat well in the their second innings to be any chance of bowling the home side out cheaply in the fourth innings.

Morning drizzle has been forecast on day three after the first two days were marred by cloudy and cold conditions. But the weather should clear into a top temperature of 20 degrees.

Meanwhile, the investigation into how England's bowling plans were leaked to the media will continue today.

England's tour plunged into further embarrassment when the ABC got a copy of its plans for the Australian batsmen and then broadcast the information on day two.

The England and Wales Cricket Board, Cricket Australia and MCG authorities are looking into how the information became public - whether it was stolen from the England dressing room - and who leaked the dossier to the media.

Play will start at 10.30am (AEDT).

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