Australia will be keen to snuff out a promising England partnership on day two of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the SCG.

The home side will be keen to keep the pressure on England captain Andrew Flintoff, who has the chance to bounce back from a wretched series and will resume on 42 with his side at 4-234.

Flintoff and Paul Collingwood (25 not out) will aim to take the tourists well beyond 300 and to a competitive total to give it a chance of avoiding a 5-0 series whitewash.

Flintoff and Collingwood have added 67 for the fifth wicket.

Australia has the option of taking the new ball, and coach John Buchanan said the first session would be vital.

"It's evenly-poised and same thing tomorrow, with the new ball due. So that will be a crucial time for both sides," Buchanan said.

Australia will also be hoping Shane Warne can have a greater impact, as he endured a rare bad day on day one, when he returned figures of 0-59 from 19 and at times struggled with his control.

Glenn McGrath, who is retiring from Test cricket with Warne and Justin Langer, had the best of the Australian bowling figures on day one with 2-57.

Play is scheduled to start at 10.19am (AEDT) to make up for the 10 overs lost on Tuesday to rain and bad light, although morning showers are again forecast.

The weather is expected to clear and bring a top temperature of 23 degrees.

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