ADELAIDE, Australia, Dec. 3 (UPI) -- Skipper Ricky Ponting made 142 to lead the Australian counter attack against England in their second cricket test.
The Aussies finished the third day's play on 312 for the loss of five wickets -- 239 runs behind England's first innings tally of 6/551 declared.
Ponting escaped twice in a scratchy start, being dropped when he was on 35 and surviving a run-out chance on 46, to register his 33rd test century.
He was supported in a 192-run partnership by Michael Hussey who went on to make 91.
Mathew Hayden ,12, and Damien Martyn, 11, were the other batsmen out Sunday leaving Michael Clark on 30 and Adam Gilchist, 13, still at the crease.
Mathew Hoggard was England's most successful bowler with 4/76 and Andrew Flintoff had 1/74.
Ponting told a news conference he might gamble on an early declaration Monday, if Australia lost any quick wickets, to push for an unlikely victory, otherwise a drawn game is looming.
